For the past three years, the Washington Nationals have partnered with the Capital Area Food Bank to organize food drives during the summer months when our food donations are typically slow. But not only do they assist in donating food, the Nats team players put the food where their mouth is and donate their time by volunteering in the warehouse!
Recently, Ryan Mattheus, pitcher for the Nationals, visited the food bank along with Harris Teeter team members – Ronnie Cash, Bob Smith, Duanne Inskeep, Renne Kifus, Chris Pyne, and CAFB Board Member Dan Marett – to help pack bags for our Weekend Bag Program.
- Ryan Mattheus with Harris Teeter team, Harry the Happy Dragon and CAFB staff
We even had a surprise visit from Harry the Happy Dragon, Harris Teeter’s mascot!
- Ryan Mattheus with Harry the Happy Dragon
Ryan and the Harris Teeter team helped to pack 500 Weekend Bags that were distributed to Kids Cafe sites in the DC Metro area. The Weekend Bag program is a national program of Feeding America ,where we work with partner sites to distribute bags of food to youth for the weekend. We send 5-7 pounds of food including breakfast, lunch/supper and snack items, as well as a mix of the food groups. The bags have kid-friendly items and items that a parent or caretaker is able to prepare.
- Ryan Mattheus packing for the Weekend Bag Program
- Harris Teeter team members packing Weekend Bags
We thank The Washington Nationals, Ryan Mattheaus and Harris Teeter for thier commitment to serving the individuals in our community and look forward to hosting them again next year!