BALTIMORE RAVENS #FeedTheFlock
The Baltimore Ravens announced Thursday the launch of their #FeedTheFlock food collection efforts, in partnership with Safeway and the Maryland Food Bank (MFB). For the past 23 years, the Ravens have supported the food bank as the largest charitable food provider in Maryland.
Ravens DT Brandon Williams, a MFB spokesman and ambassador, asks fans to do their part to help the more than 665,000 Marylanders who don't know where their next meal may come from.
"As a kid chasing my dreams on the field and in the classroom, I experienced firsthand what it meant to be hungry," Williams said. "It's not a holiday when you're hungry. I know from personal experience. That's why your contribution to the Maryland Food Bank is so important."
Detailed below are a variety of ways fans can donate to the collection:
Month of November
Online and In-store Donations
- Fans are encouraged to help #FeedTheFlock from Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 by donating to the team's online fundraiser, organized by the Ravens and the MFB. Those who donate will be entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Ravens vs. Browns game on Dec. 30. To donate, visit the Ravens Food and Funds Drive Team Page.
- From Nov. 1 – Nov. 30, Safeway, the official supermarket of the Ravens and proud title sponsor of Purple, Tailgaters, and RavensWalk will collect customer donations at the Baltimore-area stores. The proceeds will be donated to the MFB.
- To support ongoing food drive efforts, the Baltimore Ravens Roosts will host a council-wide fundraising competition in which all proceeds will be donated to the MFB. Formerly known as the "Council of the Colts Corral", the Council of the Baltimore Ravens Roosts has been supporting Baltimore football since 1957.
Monday, Nov. 5
Family Food & Funds Drive Kickoff Celebration
- Fans are invited to attend the Family Food & Funds Drive celebration on Monday, Nov. 5 at the Canton Safeway (2610 Boston St., Baltimore, MD) from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The celebration will feature music, refreshments, prizes and autograph-signings. Fans can make monetary donations to the MFB and purchase items to stock up for their Sunday tailgate and stadium food collection. Ravens cheerleaders and Poe, Ravens alumni, WBAL-TV, WBAL-FM Radio and 98Rock will all be on-site for the celebration.
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Ravens Volunteering at MFB
- On Tuesday, Nov. 13, members of the Ravens All Community Team (ACT), the Lady Ravens Association and Ravens staff will volunteer in the MFB's Charles T. Bauer Community Kitchen. The ACT is comprised of Baltimore corporations, including title sponsor M&T Bank, who provide financial and volunteer support to many Ravens community service projects. The Lady Ravens Association consists of spouses and significant others of Ravens players, coaches and staff. Ravens representatives will also be on-site to discuss the 2018 food collection efforts and the Ravens' 20-plus year commitment to the MFB.
Information regarding the Ravens' volunteer day at the MFB can be found below:
- Who: Members of the Ravens ACT, Lady Ravens and Ravens Staff
- What: Volunteer Day at Maryland Food Bank to kick off #FeedTheFlock
- Where: Maryland Food Bank 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road Baltimore, MD 21227
- When: Tuesday, Nov. 13
Session I (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) Session II (12 p.m. – 3 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 18
Gameday Collection
- Collection efforts will be enhanced with the 23rd annual Ravens Family Food & Funds Drive, sponsored by Safeway, when the Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 18 at M&T Bank Stadium. Prior to kickoff, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Safeway, MFB, and M&T Bank volunteers will collect monetary and non-perishable food donations outside all M&T Bank Stadium gate entrances. The MFB will also be on RavensWalk collecting credit and debit card donations. The final poundage collected will be calculated and distributed through the MFB. The 23rd annual Ravens Family Food & Funds Drive is also supported by Von Paris Moving & Storage, which will transport all collected items from the stadium to the MFB.
Maryland Food Bank (MFB) Fast Facts:
- Last year, the MFB distributed more than 102,000 meals per day – enough food to provide 37 million meals per year – to a network of more than 1,250 soup kitchens, pantries and shelters across the state. It's estimated that hungry Marylanders within the MFB service area miss more than 76 million meals each year.
- The MFB is mostly in need of healthy non-perishable food items, including canned proteins like tuna, chicken and peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, shelf-stable milk, breakfast items, rice and pasta.
About Safeway:
- Safeway is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2017 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave nearly $300 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans' outreach.
Visit www.Baltimoreravens.com/fooddrive to learn more on how everyone can contribute to the 2018 Ravens Family Food & Funds Drive.
