Sen. Andy Dinniman (center) tries to keep things from getting out of hand as Jack Hines and Bernie Orglmeister of the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club (left) and Tom Gugerty and Greg Hines of the Coatesville Rotary Club (left) make their case as to why their respective clubs will win the food fight to benefit the Chester County Food Bank.
Thorndale-Downingtown, Coatesville Rotary clubs to battle it out for a good cause
WEST CHESTER — While the words “food fight” might conjure up visions of John Belushi, a local state senator is about to find himself in the middle of a big one.
And he couldn’t he happier about it.
State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced Monday he will serve as referee of the first ever “food fight” between the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club and the Coatesville Rotary Club — a good-natured battle between the two groups to see who can raise the most donations for the Chester County Food Bank.
Each club has designated drop off locations for nonperishable foodstuffs throughout the area. The donations are weighed each week, and at the end of the February the club that collects the most food based on weight will be treated to pizza.
And while Coatesville Rotary is trailing in the early going, Dinniman says it would be a mistake to count them out.
“So far, it looks like Thorndale-Downingtown is off to an early lead, but there is plenty of time left in this food fight,” Dinniman said. “This is a great way for all residents to get involved in giving back to our neighbors in need and in helping ensure that no one goes hungry. I want to thank members of both the Thorndale-Downingtown and Coatesville Rotary Clubs for coming up with such a creative idea.”
Jack Hines of the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club said that the club came up with the idea after learning that donations to the Chester County Food Bank typically drop off after the holiday season. The goal is to collect a total of 1,000 pounds of food from both clubs.
“Each year, the food bank is almost empty by March,” Hines said. “Our ultimate aim is to start a competition that will eventually include other rotary clubs in the area and make it almost like a ‘March Madness’ of food drives.”
Greg Hines of the Coatesville Rotary Club said his organization is up for the challenge.
“Thorndale-Downingtown wanted a food fight, so we are in it to win it,” he said. “But in reality, this is a fight that everybody wins.”
Dinniman, who helped found the Chester County Food Bank and Growing Program 18 years ago, said he was proud to see local organizations, businesses and even schools get involved in the effort.
“I never thought I’d be serving as the referee of a ‘food fight,’ but this is an initiative that everyone can all get behind,” he added.
Drop-off points for the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club include Fulton and Susquehanna Bank locations in Chester County, Caln Elementary School and the East and West Bradford township buildings. For more locations and information on the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club, visit www.thorndalerotary.org.
Drop-off points for the Rotary Club of Coatesville include the Brandywine Hospital, Brandywine YMCA, Coatesville Area Senior Center, Citadel, and Coatesville City Clock Apartments. For more locations and information on the Coatesville Rotary, visit www.rotaryclubofcoatesville.org.
For more information contact Senator Dinniman’s District Office at (610) 692-2112, or e-mail acirucci@pasenate.com.
