Bradford, PA – Staff from Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), a member campus of Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), launched its annual food drive, “Knock Out Hunger” which coincides with “Operation: Rock Out Hunger” that all other Kaleida Health facilities participate in. The drive ran from Monday, October 16 through Friday, November 10.

            Employees at BRMC collected many non-perishable food items including cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruits, pastas, rice, boxed turkey stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, boxed mac and cheese, and baby items including diapers, wipes, and formula. 

Various departments on both the Bradford and Olean campus participated in the food drive in a friendly competition. Departments decorated shopping carts to compete amongst each other to collect the greatest number of items for the drive as well as see what cart was voted the most favorite by coworkers. This year there was a record breaking 23 teams that participated in the contest across both campuses. The shopping carts were displayed in the departments throughout the hospital each decorated with various themes.

“UAHS is a proud participant in this annual food drive that helps to combat food insecurity, especially around the holidays. The way our team comes together for the local community is truly touching,” said Jill Owens, MD, president, UAHS. “We’ve had a record setting year with collection and participation and I think this program will continue to grow for years to come.”

This year BRMC collected a total of 886 items which will be donated to Destinations food pantry and YWCA in Bradford. This year in total, UAHS collected 2,400 food items as well as cash donations that will go to local food pantries.