Local High Schools Participate In ‘Great Food Fight’ For Charity

By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — High School students from the Philadelphia region went head-to-head over a two-week period to collect tons of food for the “Great Food Fight” to benefit Philabundance.

All told, 21 local schools collected 71 tons of food — enough to feed three sold-out crowds at a Phillies game — according to Philabundance Development Director Marianne Lynch.

“So, that’s about 142,000 meals that we’re able to provide,” Lynch explained.

(Credit: Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio)

Shire Pharmaceuticals gave the grand prize winner, Owen J. Roberts High School in Chester County, a check for $10,000 for collecting nearly 24,000 pounds, or nearly 12 tons, of food.

“There are people in our area that are suffering and need help. I think it’s our job to help them,” said sixteen-year-old Jessica Venonsky, a sophomore, who helped organize the event.

Holy Ghost Prep in Bucks County received $5,000, as its students hauled in more than 20,000 pounds of food.

One each from the five counties — Archbishop Wood, Germantown Friends, Lower Merion High, Renaissance Academy and Penncrest High — each received $1000 for their efforts.