For the second consecutive season, congregations in the Pittsburgh Presbytery and tri-state area are pledging to donate $100 or more to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for every home run hit by a Pittsburgh Pirate player.
Home Runs for Hunger is getting publicity through local radio spots and being shown on the scoreboards at PNC Park, the home field for the Pirates. Even an advertisement in the Pirate game program features the program.
The campaign to fight hunger in the region was started after the Major League Baseball All-Star break last season. The Pirates combined to hit 60 home runs in the second half of last season, which raised more than $6,000 for the food bank. Organizers hope that at least that much will be raised again this year.
This season the churches and groups that are pledging donations include the Pittsburgh Presbytery Hunger Fund, the Church Restoration Group in Cranberry Township, Pa., Southminster Presbyterian Church in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., the One Write Company in Lancaster, Ohio, Crestview Community Church (a PC(USA) congregation) in Callery, Pa. and McKeesport Presbyterian Church in McKeesport, Pa.
On Tuesday, July 3, anyone that brings a non-perishable food item to PNC Park will get a $1 discount on a ticket for the game that night against the Houston Astros.