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.
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.
