YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The York County Food Bank and St. Onge will once again partner for a virtual food drive--with a competitive twist.
After employees said last year's Dunkin Hunger drive was “an awesome and rewarding experience,” organizers were inspired to engage other York County groups for this year's campaign.
"If we get each team to raise $500, if that's the case, then we were able to benefit the York Food Bank in that community, our community by $32,000," Sean O’Neil, executive vice president and healthcare practice lead with St. Onge, said.
Dunkin Hunger 2024 will be a March Madness-style competition bracket to mirror the NCAA basketball tournament.
“It’s hard to believe that 10% of the folks, adults, kids, and seniors in our community are food insecure," O’Neill said in a press release. "This friendly competition is an awesome way to engage employees all for the benefit of the York County Food Bank and those they serve!”
According to the Food Bank, visits are at a record high with more than 35,000 people in York County facing food insecurity. Of that number, one in 10 are children.
"We're seeing that and seeing that as a very distinctive need," O'Neill said. "I think if we can mobilize the community to really get after that, which I think everybody wants to do, I think it's a great cause."
The organizations hope to find 64 teams consisting of local businesses, churches, community groups, etc. to set up virtual food drives. The total donations collected per team, from employees, families and friends, will be the team’s score or ranking. Prizes will be awarded to the teams in the Sweet Sixteen, Final Four and overall Champion.
“We are incredibly grateful to Sean and the St. Onge team for bringing this idea to us and helping to champion it for the benefit of the York County Food Bank. We are seeing extremely high levels of need in the community, so this Dunkin Hunger initiative comes at a critical time,” Jennifer Brillhart, president and CEO of the York County Food Bank, said in a press release.
Teams must register by March 14, with tipoff scheduled for March 21. Anyone interested in getting involved can find for information on the York County Food Bank's website.