Burns: Three vehicles filled with donated items for annual food drive to benefit Dorothy Day Outreach Center

LORETTO, Dec. 12 – Three vehicles filled with more than 2,500 donated food items – with nearly half of that amount donated by a local school – were delivered today to the Dorothy Day Outreach Center at St. Francis University to help local families in need, state Rep. Frank Burns announced.

Burns, D-Cambria, said more than 1,350 items were donated by the Portage Area Junior Senior High School, thanks to a competition put on by that school’s Interact Club.

“In late October, we began asking for food donations, and people across the region, including Portage Junior Senior High School, Cambria County Christian School, and Saint Benedict School in Carrolltown, stepped up to help,” said Burns. “There’s no way we could have done this without the community’s assistance and support.”

The Dorothy Day Outreach Center explained how the organization relies on the kindness of others to help those in need, especially during the holiday season.

“We are so grateful to everyone in the community for their generosity,” said Brother Gabriel Amato, Franciscan Friar of the Third Order Regular and director of the center. “Our food pantry is open all year and we rely so closely on the kindness of others to help keep our shelves stocked. Thanks to Representative Burns and his staff in supporting this food drive once again. We will be able to help more local families who need our assistance, especially during the holiday season.”

Burns picked up donations at his offices in Ebensburg, Lower Yoder Township, Patton and Portage.

“This is just one way we can work together to help make the holidays a bit brighter for families and individuals who are struggling this time of year,” Burns said.