Kickers Partner with MARTIN’S to Sponsor Second Annual Food Drive

RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, May 18, 2011) – Help us help others! The Richmond Kickers and MARTIN’S Food Markets are teaming up with the Central Virginia Food Bank to sponsor a food drive during the month of May. Now through May 28, there will be a food collection container at Ukrop Park where Kickers players, families and friends can do their part by donating non-perishable foods to needy families of Central Virginia.
The food drive will culminate at the Kickers pro soccer game on Saturday, May 28 against FC New York. Bring a non-perishable food item to the game and receive a coupon for $5.00 OFF admission*. Plus, earn raffle tickets for each pound of food, for great prizes and drawings throughout the game.

“Teaming up with the Kickers again for this food drive campaign is just a wonderful thing for the whole community,” commented MARTIN’S Regional Vice President Jim Scanlon. “By having this food drive in conjunction with the Kickers, we are assisting the efforts of the Central Virginia Food Bank to feed those in our community that are in the most need. We identify with this need strongly at MARTIN’S as we are consistently working on ways to eradicate hunger in our communities. Involving the Kickers, and in particular their youth club, is really a win/win for us because the drive serves as an educational vehicle too.”

“Giving back to the community has always been a strong part of what this club stands for,” said Richmond Kickers Board President, Rob Ukrop. “Getting our kids involved with the food drive and teaching them the importance of taking care of people in the community is part of the learning experience of the club. Having great partners like MARTIN’S and the Central Virginia Food Bank makes the process easy and even more worthwhile.”

When school ends in June, many low-income children in our community will be without the nutritious breakfast and lunch meals they received at school each weekday. The consequences of this change can be significant, both in cognitive and physical growth. The Central Virginia Food Bank, fights hunger in our region by providing food and grocery products to an extensive network of partner agencies who serve our most vulnerable neighbors. The Food Bank also prepares and delivers hot, healthy meals to at-risk children in summer/after school programs and backpacks filled with weekend meal items for school children in need. These programs feed thousands of people in 31 counties and 5 cities in Central Virginia.

As a grocery store chain, MARTIN’S has a charitable mission to fight hunger. They participate in many programs to donate food and funds to regional food banks including the Central Virginia Food Bank.

Help us help others by feeding the community. Drop off your donation at Ukrop Park or mark your calendar for the Kickers pro game on May 28. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm at Richmond City Stadium. For more information, visit RichmondKickers.com.

*Regular admission prices $12/adult, $7/youth ages 3-17.

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