RIVERS CASINO BETS AGAINST HUNGER

Pittsburgh, PA – Rivers Casino on the North Shore of Pittsburgh has announced a major food drive to help Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank increase food donations for the holidays.

Beginning Monday, November 16, casino customers can bring non-perishable food or grocery items and receive $5.00 in free play for each item (limit 3 items, $15.00 per person per day). The Food Drive offer is good for Mondays ONLY through December 21, 2009 (12:01 am Monday through midnight Monday night – total of six Mondays). Participants will receive their free play through their Riverwatch Player Club Card only. Food donors who don’t have a card can sign up for one at the casino; there is no charge.

“From the beginning, Rivers Casino has been a great partner to the Food Bank,” said Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Food Bank. “We were one of the charities that benefited from the Casino’s test days and received almost $35,000 then.  We are grateful for this opportunity to boost food donations at our busiest time of year to help our struggling neighbors have happier holidays.”

Every month during 2009, the Food Bank has been serving between 1,000 and 2,000 new households in its 11-county service area as the recession continues. Meanwhile, sources of donated food have diminished nationwide so Food Banks have been caught in the squeeze between less donated food and more people to feed.

“Rivers Casino is proud of its commitment to the Food Bank and the opportunity to assist many families in the greater Pittsburgh Area as we approach the Holiday Season. It is relationships of this nature that strengthen the fabric of the Pittsburgh Community,” said Ed Fasulo President and Chief Operation Officer of Rivers Casino.

Volunteers will be stationed at the front door and at the entrance from the parking garage to assist in the collection of food donations. Donors are reminded please not to bring items in glass jars. Most-needed items include canned meat and fish; peanut butter; holiday-associated items like canned yams; healthy boxed items like low-sugar cereal, rice and pasta; fruit and vegetables; or non-food items like shampoo, toothpaste, paper goods or cleaning items.

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Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
1 N Linden St   Duquesne, PA 15110   412-460-FOOD
www.pittsburghfoodbank.org