“Striking Out Hunger” Nets $75K for RI Food Bank

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Monday, September 26, 2011

GoLocalProv Features Team

The Pawtucket Red Sox gave their fans a thrilling 2011 season in which the team captured their first International League North Division title since 2003, but they didn’t stop there. Their performance resulted in a $75,000 gift to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank from the Citizens Bank Foundation as part of this year’s Striking Out Hunger initiative.  Cox Communications supported this initiative with public service announcements throughout the season. 

PawSox pitching squad delivers

At the start of the baseball season, the Citizens Bank Foundation announced that they would donate $75 to the RI Community Food Bank each time a PawSox pitcher struck out an opposing player, up to a total of $75,000. The PawSox pitchers did their job, turning in 1,118 strike outs to capture the highest possible contribution to help feed hungry Rhode Islanders. 

“Traditionally, summer donations are critically low for the food bank, while the demand for food increases,” said Ned Handy, President, Citizens Bank, Rhode Island. “The Striking Out Hunger program was created as a way to raise both funds and awareness for the RI Community Food Bank, and with great partners like Cox and the Paw Sox, the program was sure to be a success.  We are tremendously proud of the Paw Sox for delivering on their commitment to reach more than 1,000 strikeouts and securing the largest donation possible for the food bank.” 

The need is greater than ever

One in three persons served by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank is a child under the age of 18. More than 40 percent of households served must choose between paying their rent and buying food for their family. 

“Going into the year, we had a lot of confidence in our talented pitchers,” said Lou Schwechheimer, Vice President & General Manager of the Pawtucket Red Sox. “We’re very proud because they didn’t just help us win ballgames – they also helped so many of our neighbors in need of help.” 

“Hunger touches every corner of our state,” said Andrew Schiff, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “Right now, more than 60,000 Rhode Islanders depend on the food we distribute to our statewide network of emergency food pantries. It’s particularly gratifying to see institutions like the Citizens Bank Foundation, Cox Communications and the PawSox come together to support our neighbors in need.”  

Photo: “Paws" joins Ned Handy, President of Citizens Bank Rhode Island, Lisa Roth Blackman of the RI Community Food Bank & Amy Quinn, Cox Communications.

Related Articles

• Citizens Bank Donates to RI Food Bank for Every PawSox Strike-Out

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