This story is part of a bi-weekly series that celebrates people who are reaching across a divide to "build bridges" with those different from themselves. The Get Marty: Community Bridges series is made possible with the support of UPMC.
Ask any basketball player and they won't lie. They want beat the other guy. This is a story about how a bunch of local high school basketball teams wanted to win in a way that would help their neighbors in need.
North Catholic High School basketball coach Dave DeGregorio's family has been doing fine during the pandemic. But when he watched the news and saw people lining up for food, he knew he needed to do something.
When his players couldn't take the court because of school shutdowns, he got an idea. "Why not do a food drive to help some people out?" said DeGregorio. His idea was to challenge a few other local teams to see who could collect the most food. But when DeGregorio contacted the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, he learned that a fundraiser, rather than a canned food drive, would be more helpful.
"When people donate money, we can buy fresh produce, meat, cheese, thinks like that," explained the food bank's Maria Montaro. Money can also leverage the food bank's bulk buying power. Montaro says a five-dollar donation can fund 25 meals.
The Food Bank set up an online campaign for the basketball group. The group started out with a goal of $4,000. The drive has now raised over $66,000, with more than 40 local teams and school districts participating.
Coach DeGregorio and his team aren't surprised to see how people have responded. "If you've been around sports and sports people, that's what we do. You don't have to donate a lot. Any amount is a good thing."
You can set up your own Food Bank Challenge or make your own personal donation to help hungry neighbors in need.
The Get Marty: Community Bridges project is produced with the generous support of UPMC. Life Changing Medicine.
