EL PASO, Texas (November 7, 2008) – Over 17,000 pounds of food has been generated by the 2008 FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade Food Drive to benefit the West Texas Food Bank.

In all, 38 businesses, non-profit groups and organizations from the El Paso area participated in the second annual food drive. Food is still being collected to support the food drive effort.

ADP, Automated Data Processing, Inc., took top honors in the food drive by bringing in the most pounds of food for the West Texas Food Bank.

The food drive will continue during the parade, as attendees are asked to bring a can of food to the parade. Volunteers will be walking the parade route with shopping carts to collect the cans for the food drive.

"We are really excited that El Paso has turned out to support such a worthy cause," said Sun Bowl Association Executive Director Bernie Olivas. "During these tough economic times, having the ability to help those in need means so much more. It really says something about El Paso."

As the winner of the food drive contest, ADP will be honored with its own float in the parade, which is entitled "El Paso's Helping Hand." The float was built by the Sun Bowl Association volunteers and will be featured as first float in the parade procession. 

"We are really excited that this has become such a successful event," said Joe E. Valenzuela, Sun Bowl Association president. "The real winners in all of this are the people that this helps."

The 72nd FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade is Thursday, Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. The parade runs along Montana Avenue beginning at Ochoa Street and ending at Copia Street. Review Stand tickets for the parade can be purchased at any FirstLight Federal Credit Union branch office, Circle K store locations or at the Sun Bowl Association office. This year's parade theme is "El Paso Pride." This year's grand marshal is former El Pasoan and NFL standout Ray Mickens.