The thirteenth annual Turkey Cup Challenge was held recently to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank (WCFB) in cooperation with nine Westmoreland County schools. In total, $34,218.24 was raised.

This is a fun and spirited competition among, potentially, all of the Westmoreland County schools to see who can collect the most donations for the Food Bank to purchase holiday food for those in need throughout the county.  It’s a great way to teach community spirit, while at the same time, helping to feed many needy families. “If every school in Westmoreland County would participate and collect $500.00, we would not have to worry about how we would pay for additional holiday food items,” said Jennifer Miller, WCFB Interim Chief Executive Officer.

The largest donor to the Food Bank receives “The Turkey Cup,” which is displayed at the winning school for the entire year.  Just like the “Stanley Cup,” the name of the winning school and year that they won is engraved forever on this trophy.

This year Heritage Elementary School, now a three time Grand Champion, donated $10,341.10.  In second place is Mt. Pleasant Junior/Senior High School who donated $9,162.65, and third place was Sloan Elementary School donating $5,526.44.  Sloan Elementary has been in the competition for each of the events thirteen years.

“The schools that participate just do an amazing job with the Challenge,” stated Mrs. Miller, “It is very exciting every year to see how schools do and to see who the winner is, it has definitely become a competition and is so beneficial to thousands of people throughout the county.”

 Other participating schools were Greensburg Central Catholic High School, Southmoreland High School, Newlonsburg Elementary School, Trafford Middle School, Yough Intermediate Middle School and Greensburg Salem High School.

Each year, the Westmoreland County Food Bank must raise additional funds to obtain holiday food for over 7,000 families that they serve through their emergency feeding agencies throughout Westmoreland County.  “The Turkey Cup Challenge has assisted us tremendously with making sure that no one goes without a proper Thanksgiving,” said Miller, “we can’t thank the coordinators, the children, and their parents enough for their support!  They will never know the names or see the faces of those that they helped this year, but somewhere in Westmoreland County, because of their efforts, there is a family that did not have to go without this year.  They are ALL winners in our eyes!”

For more information about the Westmoreland County Food Bank and how you can help this Holiday season, please visit their web site at www.westmorelandfoodbank.org, or call 724.468.8660.

About Westmoreland County Food Bank

The Westmoreland County Food Bank serves over 31,000 area residents each year including 9,300 children and 3,410 seniors. WCFB currently has 60 member agencies in their network of emergency feeding sites.  Of those, 44 are food pantries in which low income consumers are able to access emergency food assistance throughout the month. Last year (2017), the Food Bank distributed over 9 million pounds of food.

50% of WCFB’s food comes from the federal and state governments and the remaining 50% from local donations, food drives, and Feeding America.  Administrative and fundraising costs account for 4% of the Food Bank’s operating budget.