Newspaper collects 420,000+ lbs. of food

Brian Tierney, chief executive officer of Philadelphia Media Holdings, flanked by several boxes overflowing with food, announced yesterday that more than 420,000 pounds of food had been collected for Philabundance and the Food Bank of South Jersey.

Tierney, speaking at a news conference at Philabundance in South Philadelphia, said the Inquirer will embark on a new challenge to collect one million pounds of food. The food drive will continue through next summer and include the Daily News.

"The need is still here," Tierney said. "The Inquirer and Daily News will bring their resources together and collect one million pounds of food."

Philadelphia Media Holdings owns the Daily News, the Inquirer and Philly.com. The food drive was originally aimed at collecting 180,000 pounds of food over 180 days to mark the Inquirer's 180th anniversary. Acme Markets also helped with food collection, which began in March.

Tierney said area food banks were struggling, noting that demand for food had increased 23 percent while contributions have dropped 26 percent. Martha Buccino, senior vice president of Philabundance, said the recession was forcing people who never needed food aid before to seek it out for the first time.

"People who used to donate food are now looking for food," she said.

Tierney told reporters that the Inquirer's collection will provide 1.26 million meals to the needy in the Philadelphia area.

Ed Demetreshon, head of food sourcing for the Food Bank of South Jersey, applauded the Inquirer for doubling its goal for the food drive. Demetreshon said it was critical to get the message out about the necessity of food drives.

"The press reaches millions of people in minutes," he said, explaining that when companies like the Inquirer start talking about the needy, it mobilizes other companies to offer their help.

Tierney thanked readers, partners and employees who made cash and food contributions.