Last year’s Wish Upon a Food Truck Festival
A local group is getting ready to truck in good food for a great cause.
On Sept. 18, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley will hold a food truck fundraiser on City Island in Harrisburg to support children with critical illnesses.
Since its founding, the local Make-a-Wish chapter has granted over 7,000 wishes for children from the region.
“For kids who have critical illnesses, studies show that, when a wish is granted, it not only helps them emotionally, but physically,” said Emily Reading, coordinator for the festival. “Wishes bring hope and optimism and gives them hope to push through.”
It hasn’t been an easy year for the organization, as many children’s wishes had to be postponed and they had to find alternative ways to stay connected to families during COVID.
But things are looking up, Reading said, as they soon plan to start granting travel wishes again.
The goal of the Wish Upon a Food Truck Festival is to raise $30,000, enough to grant wishes for three children, as the average wish costs $10,000.
At the festival, there will be over 25 food trucks, local breweries and wineries. At each truck, there will be tip jars for those who want to donate to Make-a-Wish. People can give online by using QR codes posted at the event.
There will be live music from over 10 bands and musicians, as well as kids’ crafts and activities and retail vendors. Proceeds from raffle baskets will also support the organization.
As part of the program, Make-a-Wish will interview some of the children and families that they support, to allow the public to hear their stories.
Earlier in the day is the Harrisburg Young Professionals’ “5 Miler for 5 Charities” race. The local Make-a-Wish chapter is one of the charities they will raise funds for.
According to Reading, the organization is still looking for volunteers to help on the day of the festival, as she expects there will be even more attendees this year than last.
“Hopefully, we will get more people to come out, and it’ll be a nice family event,” Reading said.
The Wish Upon a Food Truck Festival is on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on City Island in Harrisburg. For more information about Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley, visit their website.
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