Baltimore Orioles teaming up with local charities to fight hunger in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program food drive underway at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

Volunteers unload boxes during the 2013 Thanksgiving Sorting Day at Ed Smith Stadium. File photo

This fall, the Baltimore Orioles once again are teaming up with Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program to fight hunger in Sarasota, the team has announced.

To support the program, the Orioles began collecting nonperishable food items at Ed Smith Stadium on Nov. 4, a news release points out. Additionally, the team will host the charity’s Thanksgiving Sorting Day at the ballpark on Friday, Nov. 22.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, the release adds, nonperishable food items may be dropped off at Ed Smith Stadium, which is located at 2700 12th St. in Sarasota. “The collection station is located inside Café 54 on Euclid Avenue.”

The stadium will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day, the release notes.

“Sponsored by mayors and government leaders in Sarasota and Manatee counties, the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program is a nonprofit coalition of charitable organizations, service agencies and religious institutions,” the release explains. Last year, the program collected and donated 72 tons of nonperishable food and 2,300 turkeys,” the release says. “All the food collected is given to the needy at no charge in time for Thanksgiving,” the release adds.

Mayors’ Feed the Hungry also uses cash donations to distribute food gift cards. For more information, visit www.mayorsfeedthehungry.org.

Along with the Thanksgiving initiative, each year during Spring Training, the Orioles host a food collection drive for All Faiths Food Bank at Ed Smith Stadium, the release points out. “All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties,” the release says. “Its programs and partners focus on serving children, families, seniors, veterans, and those in crisis. In 2018, All Faiths Food Bank distributed 10.5 million pounds of food, which equates to 8.75 million meals to 82,000 people in Sarasota and DeSoto counties,” the release notes.

For more information, visit the All Faiths Food Bank website.

“The Orioles have a long-standing commitment to fighting hunger in Sarasota County, throughout the mid-Atlantic region, and internationally through various partnerships,” said Greg Bader, Orioles senior vice president of administration & experience, in the release. “We encourage local residents to participate in the important efforts of Mayors’ Feed the Hungry and All Faiths Food Bank,” Bader added in the release. “Together, we can help improve the lives of families in need throughout the Sarasota area.”