GFS places in top three for Philabundance’s ‘Great Food Fight!’
Germantown Friends School (GFS) won third place and $1,000 after collecting the most food in Philadelphia for Philabundance’s Great Food Fight!.
Philabundance challenged local schools to initiate a food-drive project. After winning the grand prize last year, GFS again placed within the top three spots by collecting a total of 12,714 pounds this year.
The grand prize of $10,000 went to Owen J. Roberts High School in Chester County for collecting the most food overall at 20,270 pounds.
Student leaders from the community involvement group at GFS reported to the Philabundance Hunger Relief Center in South Philadelphia for the winners’ press conference. Participating schools collected a total of 71 tons of food for people in need.
“The need for food assistance has increased by 26 percent in the past year in the communities we serve. You collected enough food to feed three sold-out crowds at Citizens Bank Park,” said Marianne Lynch, development director for Philabundance.
The Great Food Fight! “is really about the thousands of families who will benefit from the donations. That’s what’s most important,” said Ann Judge of Shire specialty pharmaceuticals, which sponsored the food drive.
According to a GFS press release, Judge then told the students, “You rallied your communities. You’re an inspiration to us, your parents, your communities and your peers. You embraced this challenge and accomplished something truly amazing. You’ve brought something else here today, too: Hope.”
After the awards ceremony, the students participated in a food-packing session to sort the food collected.
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