The Phillies, Philabundance and Citizens Bank are teaming up to fight hunger.
The Phillies have a winning reputation when it comes to supporting local and national initiatives, including the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, Philabundance, 3616 S. Galloway St. In furthering its efforts to combat hunger, the organization will team with Citizens Bank to once again host Phans Feeding Families Day on Wednesday, June 14 during the Phillies-Red Sox game.
Philabundance serves more than 90,000 people, spanning from children to seniors, each week within nine counties in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. Given that every $1 donation provides two meals, the ballpark and its platform have the potential to again make a large-scale impact on the organization’s ability to increase the number of meals it can provide.
“We are proud to once again partner with our friends at the Phillies to make an impact on the region’s hunger problem by raising money and collecting food for our neighbors in the Delaware Valley,” Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, regional president of Citizens Bank said “Phans Feeding Families has been a tremendous success over the past few years, helping Philabundance and other local hunger relief programs provide food for families during the summer months.”
Marking its 2017 efforts, the Phillies, Citizens Bank, Phillies coach Mickey Morandini and Phillies sponsors, including Aramark, Goya Foods, Hatfield, SEPTA, ShopRite, Sunoco and Toyota, announced this year’s Phans Feeding Families partnership with Philabundance to fundraise and collect food on May 23. To date, with fan support, more than 850,000 meals have been provided to families in need. Stepping up to the plate this year, Citizens Bank made the first donation to the cause, donating $40,000 that will provide approximately 80,000 meals to the 2017 Phans Feeding Families campaign.
“Thanks to Citizens Bank and the Phillies, Philabundance is able to help feed more of our neighbors in need through the Phans Feeding Families partnership,” Glenn Bergman, executive director of Philabundance, said. “This generous donation of $40,000 Citizens Bank presented a $40,000 check at the May 23 rally toward the Phans Feeding Families initiative will go a long way to make summer more fun for the 300,000 children in our area who lose their school meals during the break. We’re truly grateful for the generous donation, which will provide 80,000 meals for Delaware Valley children who face hunger year round.”
To further ensure this year’s program is a success, fans are being encouraged to contribute on their own in a number of ways. First and foremost, they are encouraged to attend the June 14 game (7:05 p.m. start) and to purchase a special Phans Feeding Families Theme Night ticket, available at a special $4 discount in locations regularly priced $53 and less. Out of each ticket sold, $8 will be donated directly to Philabundance, a contribution that will put 16 meals on the table for local community members in need.
“There are far too many families in our community who are at risk for hunger,” Dave Buck, Phillies senior vice president of marketing and advertising sales, said. “On June 14, during Phans Feeding Families Day at Citizens Bank Park, we look forward to once again joining our fans and corporate partners in making a difference and providing hunger relief to those in need.”
In addition to purchasing a ticket and attending the game, “phans” are also being urged to bring a donation of a non-perishable food item. Upon the donation of one of these items, which could include but are not limited to plastic jars of peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna and pasta, each supporter will receive a buy-one-get-one ticket offer eligible to be used for entry to various upcoming games.
Furthermore, to help raise money for the Phans Feeding Families, which began in 2011, ballpark attendees can participate in the Phillies Charities 50/50 raf e, where a portion of the proceeds will benefit Philabundance, or bid on one-of-a-kind, new or game-used, signed memorabilia during the Phillies Charities Auction via the MLB Ballpark App. Proceeds from the auction will also benefit Philabundance and all items will be on display at the First Base Gate Plaza.
If unable to attend the game or to complete one of these methods of contribution, online monetary donations to the campaign can also be submitted at Philabundance.org. Also, food donations will be accepted at the ballpark during the ShopRite Partners in Caring Food Drive on Sunday, Sept. 17. SPR
Complete program details are now available at phillies.com/feedingfamilies, and fans can also help spread awareness and stay updated on the cause by following @ Phillies on Twitter, using #PhansFeed.
