On Sept. 12, Baltimore Orioles to host food distribution at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

Similar events, in cooperation with All Faiths Food Bank, set for October, November and December

Ed Smith Stadium, located at 2700 12th St., is the Baltimore Orioles’ Spring Training home in Sarasota. File photo

As part of the Baltimore Orioles’ “ongoing efforts to serve and strengthen the community during the current pandemic,” the team has announced that it has partnered with All Faiths Food Bank to host “a series of mass food distribution events at Ed Smith Stadium.”

The events will take place on the second Saturday of each month from September through December, a news release says. The dates are Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, and Dec. 12, the release adds.

Food will be distributed in the East Lot and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until food runs out, or 11:30 a.m., the release notes. All of the events will be staffed by All Faiths Food Bank volunteers and staff, and several of the events will be staffed, as well, by Orange & Black Gives Back, the Orioles’ employee volunteer program, the release says.

To donate food or to learn more about upcoming distributions, a person may visit AllFaithsFoodBank.org.

“Many of our neighbors in the Sarasota and DeSoto counties are continuing to experience food insecurity as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jennifer Grondahl, senior vice president for community development and communications for the Orioles, in the release. “It is our hope that, in partnering with All Faiths Food Bank, we will be able to provide relief and stability to those families who are most in need,” she added in the release.

“All Faiths Food Bank has taken special measures to remove barriers to assistance: no pre-registration is required,” the release says. “Physical distancing and no-touch strategies will be observed,” as food will be distributed via a drive-through method, with items placed directly into the trunks of vehicles. Attendees also will receive information about additional Food Bank locations where groceries are available, the release adds.

“All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and the largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties,” the release points out. “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release continues, “the Food Bank is committed to providing hunger relief to the many families who have been affected by this crisis.”

Year-round, the release says, “the Orioles focus their philanthropic efforts on two distinct pillars: Strengthening Our Community and Empowering Our Youth. In times of crisis,” the release continues, “the Orioles aim to bring visibility to resources that community members need most.”

For additional information on the Orioles’ community efforts in Sarasota, visit Orioles.com/CommunityResources.