PHILADELPHIA – Local hunger relief non-profit Philabundance received a welcome donation today as head coach Fran Dunphy, student-athletes of the Temple men’s basketball team and The Fresh Grocer of Progress Plaza delivered 278 cases of non-perishable food and goods to the organization that serves approximately 90,000 people per week in nine counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The 278 cases matches the number of three-point baskets made by the Owls during the 2016-’17 regular season – 41 more than last year and again, leading the American Athletic Conference in three pointers made for the second consecutive season. The Owls’ “Three’s For Hunger” season-long campaign is in collaboration with Temple Athletics’ corporate partner, The Fresh Grocer of Progress Plaza. For every three-point basket made, The Fresh Grocer sets aside one case of most needed food items for Philabundance. Today’s delivery to the Delaware Valley’s largest food bank by members of the Temple Owls’ men’s basketball team, Temple athletics administration, and representatives of The Fresh Grocer marked the culmination of year two in the three-year program.

“It feels good to help others, and if our performing on the court can result in something like this – where nearly 300 cases can help feed hungry men, women and children in our communities – we’re all in. Being a part of today’s delivery to Philabundance is life changing for all of us and very rewarding,” said Temple men’s basketball head coach Fran Dunphy.

According to Patrick J. Burns, president and CEO of Burns’ Family Neighborhood Markets, which owns and operates The Fresh Grocer of Progress Plaza, “The Owls’ ‘Three’s For Hunger’ is a tremendous program and we are proud to be a part of it. Our organization is committed to fighting hunger in our communities and helping our neighbors in need. This program and partnership with Temple allows us to make good on those commitments through the amazing work of Philabundance.”

In 2016, Philabundance distributed approximately 24 million pounds of food through its own neighborhood distribution programs and through a network of more than 350 member agencies in nine counties in two states. Today’s delivery was made to the food bank’s 302 W Berks Street location in Philadelphia, and the cases contained items that were designated by the organization as high priority items, such as peanut butter and tuna.

“We want to thank the Burns’ Family Fresh Grocer, the Temple men’s basketball program and Athletics administration for their support providing our hungry neighbors with needed food items,” said Philabundance Executive Director Glenn Bergman. “While one in eight people in the U.S. is hungry, right here in our backyard, that number is an astounding one in five. We’re sincerely grateful for their generous donation and partnership, which helps us address hunger, which is an issue here 365 days a year.”

The “Three’s For Hunger” initiative is overseen by Temple Athletics’ multimedia rightsholder, Learfield’s Temple Sports Properties. Temple University is one of more than 120 collegiate partners represented by Learfield nationwide. Those interested in learning more about Philabundance can visit philabundance.org or call 215-339-0900.

“Without a doubt, we’re helping move the needle in curbing community hunger and it is an amazing feeling,” said Temple University Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. “Our corporate partners are significant members of the Owls’ extended family and we’re proud to associate with companies that also see value in giving back. We appreciate the efforts and vision of The Fresh Grocer and hope we can continue this program for years to come.”

A member of the Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative, Burns currently operates seven Fresh Grocer supermarkets and two ShopRite supermarkets, located throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Burns’ Family Neighborhood Markets specializes in providing high-quality perishables in urban and suburban environments and are committed to understanding the needs, tastes and traditions of the communities in which their stores are located, and make it a priority to offer an assortment of products and services to meet those various needs. Burns’ Family Neighborhood Markets are also committed to improving food access and to promoting the health and wellness of its customers, associates and communities.