As Philadelphia and Kansas City prepare for a highly anticipated rematch on the field this Sunday, February 9, 2025, Philabundance and Harvesters—The Community Food Network are once again going head-to-head in the Huddle to End Hunger Challenge.

Last year, Philabundance won this fundraising showdown, raising the most funds to provide meals for families in need. While we’re proud of that victory, the real winners were the individuals and families who received essential food assistance thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

With food insecurity at an all-time high in Philadelphia, this year’s challenge is more urgent than ever. We’re excited to defend our title—and for our team to bring home another win!

The Challenge: Who Will Raise the Most to Fight Hunger?

The Huddle to End Hunger Challenge kicks off on Friday, February 1st, and runs through game night, ending at midnight CT/1 AM EST on Monday, February 10.

Philabundance and Harvesters are calling on their communities to help raise as much funding as possible for local hunger relief. Every dollar counts toward getting food into the hands of families who need it most.

While one food bank will take home bragging rights, the real victory is ensuring families don’t have to wonder where their next meal is coming from.

Why This Matters

Since our last matchup in 2023, food insecurity in Philadelphia has risen to the highest levels ever recorded.

• In Philadelphia:
  • 1 in 7 people are food insecure
  • 1 in 3 children are food insecure
• In Philabundance’s service area:
  • 1 in 9 people face hunger
  • 1 in 6 children do not have reliable access to food

Nationally, 47 million Americans, including nearly 14 million children, struggle with food insecurity. With food prices remaining high and economic challenges persisting, more families than ever are being forced to make impossible choices between food, housing, and healthcare.

“Hunger is a year-round crisis that doesn’t take a break,” said Loree Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance. “With everyday prices continuing to rise, individuals and families in our region are struggling to make ends meet. This challenge is an opportunity to bring people together—not just in the spirit of competition, but in the shared goal of fighting hunger. While we’d love to win again, the real victory is the number of meals we can provide together.”

How You Can Get Involved

No matter which city wins on the field, the biggest victory will be in the fight against hunger. Every dollar raised makes a difference in helping us provide meals to families in our region.

Join the Challenge:

📅 Challenge Dates: Friday, February 1st – Sunday, February 9 (ends at midnight CT/1 AM EST on February 10)
💛 How to Give: Visit www.philabundance.org/gobirds to make your donation
📱 Text to Give: Text GOBIRDS to 91999 to contribute
📣 Spread the Word: Share this challenge with friends, family, and fellow fans

Let’s huddle up and take action—because when we work together, we can tackle hunger head-on. Go Birds!