April Volunteer Spotlight: Lexington Legends Staff
For many families, summer means going on vacation, sending the kids off to camp, and spending time at fun community events like concerts and baseball games. But for millions of families across the country, this summer will be spent trying to survive the heat and high gas prices, all while putting food on the table for their children. That’s no easy task for parents who must find a way to provide up to 10 more meals each week for kids who would ordinarily receive free or reduced meals at school.
During this critical time, the staff of the Lexington Legends Professional Baseball Club is helping God’s Pantry Food Bank feed more hungry children than ever. Over the course of just a few weeks, the Legends staff will have served a total of 120 hours in our Lexington warehouse. Legends Director of Community Relations Stephanie Fish explained that the staff’s efforts are part of the national “Step Up to the Plate" All-Star Challenge sponsored by Perdue.
All 14 teams in the South Atlantic League are partnering with their respective Feeding America affiliate food bank to involve their communities in the fight against hunger. Stephanie explained: “Each team that reaches 120 hours of service to their food bank will win a $1,000 challenge grant for that food bank,” funded through the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. The Legends staff has already met 75 percent of their goal and we’re confident they’ll have no trouble completing the challenge when they come back in mid-May.
Thus far, Director of Ticket Operations Adam English has said that he “most enjoyed giving back and knowing that the work we’re putting in is going to feed hungry people in our own area.”
Business Manager Jeff Black agreed with Adam, adding that he liked the synergistic feel of volunteering and how it became a bonding experience with his coworkers.
The Legends staff found their visits both rewarding and educational.
“I didn’t know that [God’s Pantry] buys food in bulk and repackages it. Obviously, that helps lower costs and is a more efficient use of finances,” Adam said.
Sales Coordinator Pete Weiss was surprised by the story of our founder, Mim Hunt, who began by distributing meals out of the back of her car. And Jake Thayer, parking coordinator, was most impressed by “the size of the organization. I’d never been out here and seen [God’s Pantry’s] large warehouse.”
This month, we’re grateful to the Lexington Legends staff for their contribution of time that will be doubly effective thanks to the $1,000 challenge grant from Perdue. Their commitment to the Lexington community should be lauded and we look forward to continuing this partnership to feed hungry families.