Ravens tight end Nick Boyle and his wife, Kristina, don't have to worry about providing the next meal for themselves or their infant son, Broc.
However, the Boyles know that many people are less fortunate, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Boyles wanted to make a difference and have teamed with the Maryland Food Bank, making a donation to provide 75,000 meals for families in the Baltimore area.
Hearing about the recent struggles families have endured moved the Boyles to action.
"We've had a lot of time on our hands lately," Nick said. "Taking a lot of walks with Kristina, with the baby and the dogs, watching a lot of news, just with everything going on with people in need of food not being able to work, not being able to have money to buy food.
"I imagined putting myself in that position, thinking if I had to worry about food. Fortunately, I do not have to. Just thinking about that made me kind of sick to my stomach. (I) really wanted to reach out and help those people who are worrying about food, who are hungry – little kids, families, older people."
Kristina is still on maternity leave from work, but as a pediatric nurse who was working in a school, she has special empathy for children who go hungry.
"A lot of the kids there, they depend on school for a hot meal," Kristina said. "It just breaks my heart to think that with schools being closed they're not getting that hot meal."
Many Ravens, including Head Coach John Harbaugh and wide receivers Willie Snead IV and Miles Boykin, have stepped forward to help the community since the pandemic began, and Nick said it reflects the team's strong bond with Baltimore.
"There's always more we can do, but I think doing this is showing that we do truly care about the community we're in," he said. "You've seen numerous players all around the NFL, donating to help people who are hungry."
