For its 33rd annual National Hoagie Day, Wawa transformed 7 tons of ingredients into an impressive 25,000 hoagies, serving communities in Philadelphia with both food and goodwill.
Of the total hoagies prepared, 10,000 were generously donated to local organizations, while the remaining 15,000 were distributed to eager fans waiting in line, some of whom formed a line that circled the Independence Visitor Center.
Despite the main event not starting until noon, preparations began bright and early at 5 a.m. in the basement of Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center.
The atmosphere was lively and filled with excitement as over 150 Wawa associates worked diligently to assemble the hoagies, crafting them in teams of three. Each team member played a specific role: one person opened the hoagie roll, the next added layers of turkey, provolone, tomato, and lettuce, and the third wrapped and secured the sandwich.
Tori Deibert, a Wawa associate, expressed her enthusiasm saying, “It’s a great feeling getting up so early. It’s like Christmas morning.” Maria Castillo, another associate, shared her commitment to the tradition, stating, “The only thing that stopped me was Covid, but every year since I’ve been in Philly, I’ve been coming to the Hoagie Day.”
Both Deibert and Castillo were recognized as MVPs — Most Valuable Preparers — by Brandon Graham, a recently retired Eagles player who attended the event for the first time.
Graham humorously noted, “This is their Super Bowl, so I understand it was going to be loud, crazy. [I] couldn’t wait.” He added a personal touch to the event as he assisted in wrapping hoagies. Also present were Eagles mascot Swoop and members of the cheer squad, supporting the Eagles Autism Foundation, which received a check from Wawa.
The first 10,000 hoagies were completed by 7:40 a.m., with associates achieving a remarkable pace of just over 60 hoagies per minute, even accommodating Graham’s special appearance.
According to Wawa, the combined weight of the hoagie ingredients totaled just beyond 13,000 pounds, nearly equating to the weight of an elephant. Interestingly, preparing such a large quantity of hoagies was not a challenging task for seasoned associates. Castillo noted, “We make more than that at the stores.”
Of the initial 10,000 hoagies, 7,500 were dedicated to Philabundance to help combat hunger in Philadelphia, while the remaining 2,500 were given to the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia and the Veterans Multi-Service Center.
As the day progressed and the remaining 15,000 hoagies were offered to the public for free, the energy remained high despite the summer heat. One line stretched from Arch and Sixth Streets, woven through Independence Mall, wrapping around the Visitor Center and almost reaching the beginning again. For those seeking a shorter wait, a second line formed on 5th Street.
Eager attendees like Robert D. Jones Jr. arrived early, stating they had been in line “since before 9 o’clock.” As the heat began to take its toll, he observed, “Some of them are just kinda mean.”
Annette Cannon, an eight-time attendee of the event, sought shelter under the William J. Green Jr. Federal Building, trying to escape the sweltering conditions. For newcomers such as Demi Zebulun, the line appeared daunting, but he remained optimistic about ultimately reaching the front.
“I just try not to look at it, and, y’know, hopefully I’ll eventually get up there,” he said.
As noon approached, the excitement peaked as hoagies began to be distributed. Mayor Cherelle Parker spoke to the crowd, expressing her enjoyment of the event despite the heat, a sentiment not universally shared among attendees.
Those who made it to the front of the line were rewarded with a signature red Wawa bag, filled with essentials like a bottle of water, potato chips, a Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpet, a Wawa Welcome America cap, and, of course, a hoagie.
Russell Stone, a Hoagie Day regular, expressed his delight in the camaraderie surrounding the event. “It’s kind of like Christmas,” he said, noting how the event fosters a sense of community among strangers.
First-time attendee Rob Christopher encapsulated the day perfectly, stating, “It was a great day. Everybody that’s down here wants to be down here.”
The sense of community and joy on this special day left a lasting impression on all participants, highlighting Wawa’s commitment to both its customers and local charities.
image source from：billypenn
