Tastykake outlet to benefit teen work program

A Tastykake thrift outlet that opened this week in West Oak Lane will benefit the Allegheny West Foundation, a community development corporation created by Tasty Baking and Tioga United.

The store, at 7155 Ogontz Ave., will be staffed by local high school students involved in the WorkReady Philadelphia program.

All profits from the Tastykake Thrift Outlet Store will fund the Allegheny West Foundation and its programs, the Philadelphia-based Tasty Baking Co. said in a news release.

PNC Financial Services Group will also donate $100,000 to assist Allegheny West with the education and job-training components of this youth program.

In June 2005, Allegheny West, PNC and Tasty Baking partnered to open the first Tastykake Thrift Outlet Store, at 2229 Venango St. in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia.

PNC donated that building - a former bank branch - to Allegheny West and provided $75,000 to assist with education and job training.

The youth training program is part of the WorkReady Philadelphia initiative, which is managed by the Philadelphia Youth Network.

"In partnering with the foundation and PNC to open this new thrift outlet store, we hope to immediately influence local students and the local community in a positive and proactive way," said Charles P. Pizzi, president and chief executive officer of Tasty Baking.