TV stations routinely contribute to their community nonprofits through fund drives to help those in need. But not many can claim a 42-year history to the same community project like KDKA, the CBS O&O in Pittsburgh.
TV stations routinely contribute to their community nonprofits through fund drives to help those in need.
But not many can claim a 42-year history to the same community project like KDKA, the CBS O&O in Pittsburgh.
KDKA’s 42nd annual KDKA Turkey Fund raised $855,935 for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank so those in need have a nourishing meal at Thanksgiving.
The totals surpassed those for 2021 and 2022.
“Community is vitally important to the residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania,” says Chris Cotugno, KDKA’s GM. “Since 1982, our viewers have demonstrated their commitment to the people in their community by donating to the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund and ensuring that their neighbors in need have a nourishing meal at Thanksgiving.”
All money raised will go directly to helping people throughout greater Pittsburgh, in partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and its network of agencies, partners and programs.
In recent years, KDKA-TV’s Pittsburgh Today Live kicks off the drive each year in front of a live audience aboard the Gateway Clipper.
The show champions the stations’ cause with weekly updates and interviews. KDKA raises additional awareness about the Turkey fund through news segments, streaming content on CBS News Pittsburgh, social media campaigns, and its school fundraising program, by which students at participating schools raise money through read-a-thons, spelling bees, school dances and more.
This year’s winner of the Turkey Trophy for the school to raise the most money, is Richland Elementary, which raised a staggering $19,108.03.
Each year KDKA partners with PNC Bank, which matches donations of $50 or more made at any of their branches, up to $75,000.
“These results make me proud to call Pittsburgh home, because time and again we step up to take care of our communities,” said Jim Balouris, executive vice president and retail market manager for PNC in Western Pennsylvania. “On behalf of PNC, I’d like to thank everyone who pitched in this year to make sure all of our neighbors can enjoy a warm meal with their families this holiday season.”
Lisa Scales, president and CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, says: “With inflation impacting the cost of food and other essential items, many neighbors were worried they wouldn’t be able to afford to have a Thanksgiving meal with family this year. The KDKA-TV Turkey Fund campaign was critical in ensuring thousands of families in our region had the chance to enjoy a holiday meal with the ones they love.”
The annual fundraising event began in 1982, as the steel industry began to decline, and jobs were being eliminated. That first year, Pittsburghers donated $90,000; since its inception it has raised nearly $21 million.
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