The fourteenth annual Turkey Cup Challenge was held recently to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank (WCFB) in cooperation with seven Westmoreland County schools. In total, $37,233.62 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 is 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 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.

For the first time ever, Mt. Pleasant Junior/Senior High School won the completion, raising and donating $12,107.82. In second place is Heritage Elementary School who donated $10,093.04, and third place is Yough Intermediate Middle School donating $6,800.00. Mt. Pleasant came in second place last year, and was able to increase their donations to take the trophy in 2019.

“2019 was a remarkable year, being the second highest year in the history of Turkey Cup Challenge” stated Mrs. Miller, “It was exceptionally exciting to have a first time champion win the cup. It has definitely become a competition among the schools and is so beneficial to thousands of people throughout the county.”

Other participating schools were Sloan Elementary School, Newlonsburg Elementary School, Trafford Middle School and Greensburg Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School.

Each year, the Westmoreland County Food Bank must raise additional funds to obtain holiday food for nearly 7,000 families that they serve through their food distribution network 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 nearly 7,000 unduplicated households each month. WCFB currently has 66 member agencies in their network of emergency feeding sites.  Of those, 45 are food pantries in which low-income consumers are able to access emergency food assistance throughout the month. Last year (2018), the Food Bank distributed over 6 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™