During the holiday season, food banks get tons of donations from the local community looking to give back to those in need. While this outpouring of generosity helps the Edgewood FISH Food Bank greatly, two community activists have taken it upon themselves to give the local food bank a holiday boost this summer. Mill Ridge Village Executive Director Jennifer Reich and April Balsley, Director of Membership Development at the Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce, head up competing teams in the annual Fife-Milton-Edgewood Food Fight, a food drive with a competitive twist.

Here’s how it works: Balsley and Reich will have several food barrels representing “Team April” and “Team Jennifer” spread across the three cities, and all that residents have to do is drop non-perishable food into a bin of the team of their choice. The campaign will end on June 17 when the donations will be weighed and a winner will be determined.

Food can also be donated to Mill Ridge Village, Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce or the Edgewood Community FISH Food Bank.

“What better way to have community exposure for something that affects us all than to have a healthy competition and see who can raise more food than the other,” Balsley said.

The fight is coming at a good time this year. Reich is hoping the food drive can be a good replacement for the currently absent Albertson’s, which used to be one of the food bank’s biggest supporters.

“Now that Albertson’s is gone, we’re trying to help,” Reich said. “It’s a great way to get the local community involved.”

This summer food drive is more than just a competition, allowing the community to rally behind an organization that does so much around the area.

“[Hunger] should be important for everyone because it affects everyone. The Edgewood FISH Food Bank is a food bank without borders and serves Fife, Milton and Edgewood as well as surrounding cities,” Balsley said.

The bins will be around the three cities until June 17, and can be found at the following locations:

Team April:

  • Milton City Hall
  • Edgewood City Hall
  • Dave’s of Milton
  • Lee’s Martial Arts
  • M.E. Zumba Class
  • Milton Safeway
  • Surprise Lake Middle School
  • The Karate Edge
  • The Meridian at Stone Creek
  • Tyler McClung State Farm
  • Columbia Bank Fife Branch

Team Jennifer:

  • Les Schwab
  • Columbia Bank
  • Billy Bob’s Off Road Shop
  • Rite Aid of Milton
  • Edgemont Juniorr High School
  • VFW
  • Heather Hills