OBI & 3 NFL Teams Give Food to the Hungry

There wasn’t a scheduled game at the Washington Redskins’ FedEx Field on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. But Redskins players including Tim Hasselbeck, Kevin Mitchell, Dave Fiore, Cliff Russell and Clifton Smith, were hard at work on the field beating another kind of deadly opponent – HUNGER. Find out more about this and the other two NFL food distribution events that have taken place over the last three weeks!

First Time with Redskins
“He kept saying, ‘God bless you,’ and ‘Thank you’ over and over again like he could not believe all we were doing for him,” commented Tom Foley. The Operation Blessing staff member was recalling an elderly man’s response during our first food distribution with the Washington Redskins! This grateful guest represented one of more than 2,000 families that received a frozen turkey and two bags of groceries with items including powdered milk, potatoes, rice and canned soup -- just in time for Thanksgiving. The children received a special gift bag too! Over 150 dedicated volunteers from local companies also helped make this event a success by filling and handing out thousands of bags of groceries. Thank you!

Partnering with Jaguars
On the same day, hunger was also being sacked at the A. Phillip Randolph Park on the Eastside of Jacksonville, Florida. Led by cornerback Fernando Bryant, 12 Jaguars players, cheerleaders and 260 volunteers from Wachovia and Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. joined Operation Blessing to hand hungry families 5,000 bags of groceries. In addition to the food, Santa and Mrs. Claus were there with treat bags for children. Adults could get free glaucoma and blood pressure screenings. Special guest Jim Little, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency was also there giving away powdered milk to each family.

Six Years with Carolina Panthers
Earlier in November, Operation Blessing, the Carolina Panthers and 150 United Way volunteers, joined teams for the sixth year to distribute food to unemployed families in Kannapolis, North Carolina. When the Pillowtex Corporation’s Plant closed last summer, thousands were suddenly unemployed, some after a thirty year career there!

During the 2-hour event, five Panthers players and Top Cat Cheerleaders handed out bags of groceries and signed autographs. Panther Mascot Sir Purr was on hand for the children’s enjoyment.

Partners, thank you for helping us tackle hunger in these three cities. Your generous gifts made these victories possible. Hunger is still an ugly opponent across the United States and around the world. Please continue to help us during this holiday season. Your gift of $50 or more will let two families in the US put food on their table for an entire month!