Oftentimes we hear about businesses competing against one another for sales, though rarely do we hear a story of them joining together for a common cause.
Joe Doriguzzi, assistant manager of the Friendship Table, explained several local businesses have joined together to provide a significant amount of food they serve to residents each and every day.
According to Doriguzzi, approximately 60% of food served to patrons at the Friendship Table comes from donations from local businesses. He explained how Walmart, Aldi, Country Fair and Sheetz are all affiliated with the Feeding America program, run through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, which is located in Erie.
According to the Feeding America website, the organization obtains donations from “national food and grocery manufacturers, retailers, shippers, packers and growers and from government agencies and other organizations.”
In an effort to lower food waste and instead put food on the tables of Americans, Feeding America helps secure some of the 72 billion pounds of food that is often thrown out each year. In fact, just last year, the organization rescued 3.6 billion pounds of food from going to waste.
In addition to the businesses who are partnered with Feeding America, Doriguzzi also noted they receive donations from Tops Supermarket and Save-A-Lot.
“We are extremely grateful for all the donations and support we get from all the businesses,” he said.
Without the donations of dairy products, non-perishable goods, donuts, sandwiches, produce and other items, Doriguzzi said it would not be possible to serve as many people as they do each day. And due to the coronavirus pandemic, he doesn’t foresee that number going down anytime soon.
“Right now, we’re at 22,000 meals for the year,” he noted. “We’ve consistently served around 135-140 meals a night.”
The total amount of meals the Friendship Table has served since its opening in 1997 surpasses 626,000.
For more information on the Feeding America program and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest PA, visit https://nwpafoodbank.org/.
Additionally, those interested in making food and/or monetary donations directly to the Friendship Table can call 814-362-6658.
