The Washington metro area has experienced record setting heat this year. The hot weather, however, didn’t stop Capital Area Food Bank volunteers from collecting food donations at the Washington Nationals versus Colorado Rockies game. Despite temperatures in the 100s, food bank volunteers grabbed water bottles, headed to the stadium and were greeted by the fantastic staff of the Washington Nationals, who provided sports drinks, water and plenty of encouragement.
Harris Teeter has sponsored the food drive at Nationals Park for the past two years, offering free game tickets in exchange for food donations. Harris Teeter utilized in-store promotions and their website to encourage shoppers and Nationals fans to donate at store locations or during the Harris Teeter Food Drive at Nationals Park.
Earlier in the season, Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler and outfielder Rick Ankiel stopped by the food bank to pack Weekend Bags and promote the Harris Teeter Food Drive.
Volunteers were surprised how friendly and supportive the Nationals fans were despite the “soul-crushing heat” as described by David Poms, one of the lead staff volunteers. He was most excited to see a group of grandmothers decked out in Nationals gear donating bags of food donations. He explained, “Upon seeing they had some choices as to which free tickets they wanted, they very carefully pulled out their datebooks and checked to see which game made the most sense to attend, based on availability of family and grandchildren.”
Not only did the Washington Nationals fans donate 6,401 pounds of much needed food, but local Harris Teeter stores collected an additional 1,785 pounds. That’s over 8,000 pounds of food that will help feed residents struggling with hunger. The food bank is so grateful for the support of the Washington Nationals, Harris Teeter and the fantastic volunteers that braved record high temperatures to collect food.