Generous employees from the Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air network across the nation brought in a record-breaking amount of food for their annual "Pack the Plane" food drive. This year their contributions of approximately $44,000 and nearly 13,000 pounds of food filled nine cargo airplanes, beating last year's drive which filled almost eight planes.
"We've beaten the previous record every year," said Claire Sowers, Programs and Events Specialist of the 2012 efforts. "Our amazing employees stepped it up and beat the record again. I could not be more proud."
Donations arrived from sixty different workgroups in 30 cities across the nation, seven of them being in Alaska.
The Anchorage Cargo team was the top contributor this year with a donation of $5,062 and 216 pounds of food. Carrie Vanderwood, Administrative Assistant and leader of the Anchorage Cargo team, said the group raised by hosting "bakes sales, Mexican food offerings, and pizza."
"We're very happy to have exceeded our goal of $4,000 -- we packed a whole airplane," said Vanderwood. "Helping others in need is very important to our workgroup. We have a crew of very caring people working in Anchorage Cargo."
Three teams in Seattle were the second, third, and fourth top contributors with an overall donation of $10,627 and 528 pounds of food. The Sitka Airport Station was the fifth top contributor with a donation of $2,534 and 300 pounds of food.
The donated money and food stays in the communities and is given to local food banks.
To see the complete list of participating cities please click here.
Contact Jessica Ridgway
