Annual Toyota Tundra Food Drive gathers food for Philabundance and families in need

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - It was quite a sight, a convoy of 75 Toyota Tundra trucks stretching five football fields pulled into parking lot P at Citizens Bank Park today.

Each truck hauling 2,000 pounds of donated food to help the anti-hunger organization Philabunance.

Paul Muller, Pres. Toyota Dealer Association said, "Part of what we are doing is to feed as many people as we can. Keep in mind Philabundance feeds about 90-thousand people a week."

It's a huge collaborative effort involving Toyota dealerships. All the area television stations including FOX 29, radio stations, the major sports teams, and business people.

"You get enough people together you can do anything you put your mind to."

This is Michael Murchisoa's first year helping out, unloading the trucks at the massive food drive.

"The support, the energy you get here from everybody just giving. It feels good. I want to do it every year. I love it."

What's happening here really hits home for Michael who spent four months himself in a shelter.

"I've been at a shelter in 2008 to eat to eat, cause I didn't have no food."

Glenn Bergman, Ex. Dir Philabundance, said, "There's about 700...750 thousand people throughout the course of the year in our region, in our 9 county region who are in need of food at some time during the year and most of those people are working."

It was a bitter cold morning to kick off the food drive 17 degrees, but no one seemed to mind.

"There's a lot of people out there making the decision- do I heat my house or do I feed my family. A little cold like this isn't gonna keep us away from raising 330,000 pounds of food, ever."

That's a lot a lot of food, but it is only enough to feed the area's hungry for one week...

So the hope today is to also raise awareness.

"We are in this 365 day of the year and we are looking to make sure people are aware hunger is with us all the time," Bergman said.

"To be able to eat a nice hot warm meal means everything, get another day," Murchisoa said.