SCRANTON -- One year ago, Newswatch 16 introduced you to a St. Patrick's Parade float with a purpose. Simple and understated, but its creators, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, had a big plan for it.
“Last year was our first year. It`s now going to become an annual event. What it also does is take the emphasis off the green beer Irish and does something positive like feed the poor,” said Hibernians member Ed Ingoldsby.
This year, we met Ingoldsby in the food pantry at St. Ann's in Scranton, one benefactor of the group's big idea. They're asking all parade goers to bring nonperishable food items to Saturday's parade and put it in Hibernians' float, a trailer, as it passes by.
“They estimate 100,000 people downtown. If we get a small percentage of that, that`s a huge donation,” Ingoldsby said.
The food collected at the Scranton St. Patrick's Parade would be distributed to several food pantries in Lackawanna County that tend to struggle this time of year.
“Oh yeah, I know when it`s low and this is extremely low. I`ve never seen the vegetables that miniscule in my life. Normally, we have at least two rows of vegetables,” said Kathy Fisk with Elm Park United Methodist Church.
Fisk showed us the bread basket pantry site at the church. She says the months after the Christmas holiday are often the worst for donations.
But, she thinks, there's no reason why this holiday can't inspire charity, too.
“I think it`s awesome. I just can`t wait to see how much food you`re going to have to move. I think it`s incredible,” Fisk said.
