WPVI Philadelphia Launches Annual Food Drive

Donations from last year’s WPVI Philadelphia/Dunkin’ Donuts Holiday Food Drive provided an estimated 175,000 meals, and all those participating this year are striving to exceed that number.

The season of giving began on Sunday, Nov. 4, with the airing of the first part of the ABC O&O’s Changing Face of Hunger special report series on Action News at 11. The series concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 27, on Action News at 5 p.m. Viewers will meet a volunteer and a motivated woman who took advantage of a special training program at Philabundance to turn her life around.

“In the 27th year of the campaign, we need to fight hunger in our communities more than ever,” says Bernie Prazenica, president-GM of WPVI. “Donating is as simple as a tap on your cell phone or a click on your computer. We encourage everyone to contribute. Even the smallest donations go a long way for families in need.”

On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Holiday Food Drive kicked into high gear when the Cradle of Liberty Council and the Boy Scouts went door-to-door, collecting the nearly 1 million bags that were distributed to homes across the region. The bags were delivered for residents to fill with canned goods.

On Thursday, Nov. 22, the Boy Scouts were back in action supporting the cause by collecting cans from the crowds that gathered on the Ben Franklin Parkway to watch the WPVI/Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade. Parade goers were urged to bring cans with them for donation, and toss them into the carts as the Boy Scouts make their way along the parade route.

The giving season doesn’t end after Thanksgiving. WPVI is providing a continued opportunity for donation. All supporters have to do is go online to www.6abc.com/fooddrive to donate from now through Dec. 31 with just a few clicks of the mouse.

A donation is also just a “Like” away on Dunkin Philly’s Facebook page. Dunkin’ Philly will donate one pound of coffee (up to two tons) to Philabundance for every new “Like” their page receives from Friday, Nov. 23, through Monday, Dec. 3.

Dunkin’ Donuts will also donate $1 to Philabundance and other regional food banks for every Holiday Collector’s Cup purchased from Friday, Nov. 23, until the end of the year. In addition, Dunkin’ Donuts regional franchises will donate 10% of all hot coffee sales on Thanksgiving Day to food banks in our area.

From Friday, Nov. 23, until Monday, Dec. 31, participating Acme Market locations will be accepting cans of food and cash donations of $1, $3 and $5 at checkout.

The WPVI/Dunkin’ Donuts Holiday Food Drive runs through Dec. 31. It is supported by on-air commercials featuring members of the Action News team.