March 4, 2009

The Philadelphia Inquirer Launches Food Drive To Benefit Region’s Hungry

Food Drive Aims to Collect 180,000 lbs of Food in 180 Days

Brian Tierney and Bill Clark

Today Philadelphia Inquirer Publisher Brian Tierney announced the newspaper will hold a food drive as part of the newspaper’s 180th anniversary. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s goal is to raise 180,000 lbs of food in 180 days in 2009. Philabundance and the Food Bank of South Jersey will be the newspapers’ partners in the effort.

“Our region is hurting and we want to help,” said Philadelphia Inquirer Publisher Brian Tierney. “As we celebrate a milestone anniversary at The Inquirer we wanted to find another meaningful way for our local owners to give back to the community that has

supported us for so many years.”

According to a recent survey conducted by the United States Conference of Mayors, the demand for emergency food in the Philadelphia region has increased by 23% over the last year and supplies of food decreased by 26% during that time.

“We want to thank Brian Tierney and The Inquirer for stepping-up to the plate and

initiating this city-wide food drive,” said Philabundance President and Executive Director

Bill Clark. “In today’s current economy we have seen the need for food rise and this food

drive will positively impact thousands of the families in need in our region.” 

The Philadelphia Inquirer will kick-off the food drive by donating the first 1,000 lbs of

food and thousands of dollars of in-paper and online ads encouraging people to make

donations. The newspaper also launched a new website, philly.com/180food, that

provides details on how and where to donate food or money.

The Inquirer building, its West Conshohocken printing plant and its Cherry Hill and

Trevose offices will all serve as drop-off locations for food starting today. Philabundance

will also have drop-off locations at its Galloway Street site and its Berks Street site

in Philadelphia and the Food Bank of South Jersey will accept donations at its location in

Pennsauken, NJ. Finally, The Inquirer will partner with other organizations throughout

the region to collect food including Acme, the Phillies and the United Way. The

newspaper is also asking residents to bring food to the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on

March 15th.

“In addition to thanking The Inquirer we also want to thank the other community

organizations that have already volunteered to be part of this effort,” said Food Bank of

South Jersey Chief Executive Officer Valerie Traore. “These are tough times for

everyone so we really appreciate the support we have already received. Every dollar

donated provides three meals to someone in need, so even if you are only able to make

a small donation, it is important to know it goes a very long way.” 

For more information on The Inquirer’s food drive, how to donate, how to host a food

drive or how to become a drop-off location please visit www.philly.com/180food.