Pro athletes turn out to help distribute food
POSTED: June 29, 2007
Darby stacked empty cardboard crates as high as she was tall and carried them to a nearby dumpster at the Kansas City NFL food giveaway sponsored by Operation Blessing.
Team members from the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals were on-hand in June to help give out 98,000 pounds of food.  Darby and her father, Steven, were one of 200 volunteers at the Kansas City NFL food giveaway.
|
By Staci Dennis
KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Darby stacked empty cardboard crates as high as she was tall and carried them to a nearby dumpster.
For several hours, it was more of the same – stack, balance, dump, repeat.
"I'm having fun picking up as many as I can at once," the 8-year-old said. "I have carried 25 stacks so far."
Darby and her father, Steven, were volunteers at the Kansas City NFL food giveaway sponsored by Operation Blessing. Team members from the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals were on-hand in June to help give out 98,000 pounds of food.
"It feels good to know you are helping people," Darby said. "It's fun too."
Kansas City Royals outfielder Reggie Sanders agrees.
"Giving back to the community is what it's all about," he said. "I remember where I came from and where I am today."
This is the seventh year OBI, along with 200 volunteers, have teamed up with the Kansas City players as well as other organizations to make the event a success.
"It's incredible to see people lined up for blocks waiting for food," said Karee, volunteer coordinator with AT&T, who brought 75 workers with her the day of the event. "We do this because we want to help others."
Each family received two bags of groceries, which included potatoes, cereal, juice and canned vegetables. In total, 5,500 bags of groceries were given to 2,700 people. More than 1,000 children received a special bag with toys, stuffed animals and books.
Maria and her husband, Jose, came to the event with their two children and four of their friends. The group got shirts, casts and notebooks autographed. Some even had the players autograph their arms and legs.
"We all want to do our part to make positive change in our community," said Peggy Clark, who has volunteered through AT&T at the event for six years. "There is too much pain in the world to stand back and do nothing."
How You Can Help
Through a fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks, and a broad network of local agencies, Operation Blessing provides food to tens of thousands of hungry children and adults across the United States. Your financial gift will continue to help bring hunger relief to those in need.
Please make an online donation today. |
Video: 
]