Orioles to host 29th annual Food and Funds Drive; Orioles and LUNGevity to again partner to raise funds and awareness for lung cancer research

The Orioles and presenting sponsor OneMain Financial, along with the Orioles Wives, Oriole Advocates, MASN, WJZ-TV, Von Paris Moving and Storage, and the Maryland Food Bank, will hold the 29th annual OriolesREACH Food and Funds Drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this weekend, June 12-14, during the Orioles' series with the New York Yankees. Members of these groups will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at each entrance from the time gates open through the middle of the 2nd inning during all games this weekend. Fans also are encouraged to visit local OneMain Financial branches through June 25 to donate non-perishable food items.

According to the Maryland Food Bank, items most needed at this time are peanut butter, canned chicken, canned tuna, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, and canned fruits and vegetables. The drive benefits soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters throughout Maryland. During last year's OriolesREACH Food and Funds Drive, almost 6,000 pounds of food and $30,000 in cash donations were collected.

Media are invited to cover this event each day and should contact Chris Martrich (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to RSVP. Representatives from the Maryland Food Bank and OneMain Financial, and select Orioles Wives, will be available to speak to the media on Friday, June 12, at Home Plate Plaza at 5:45 p.m. For more information, please call 888-848-BIRD or visit www.oriolesreach.com.

Also during this homestand, the Orioles will again team up with the LUNGevity Foundation, an organization committed to the fight against lung cancer. In memory of late Orioles' Public Relations Director Monica Barlow, who bravely battled the disease before passing away in early 2014, the Oriole Bird and FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal will wear special LUNGevity bow ties throughout Saturday's 7:15 p.m. game against the Yankees, televised by FOX. Barlow would have celebrated her 38th birthday this week. Fans are encouraged to stop by LUNGevity's photo booth at the Kids Corner at Oriole Park to take photos with bow tie props, the Oriole Bird, and Rosenthal, and to learn more about LUNGevity's Breathe Deep Walk taking place at Oriole Park on October 3, 2015.

Additionally, shortstop J.J. Hardy and third base coach Bobby Dickerson will instruct fielding drills to a 12U travel baseball team from Savage, MD on Wednesday, June 10, to fulfill an experience auctioned during the 2014 Baseball Winter Meetings, benefitting the LUNGevity Foundation in memory of Barlow. The Savage Eagles won the experience and will participate in the private lesson on the field at Oriole Park from noon to 12:45 p.m. Media interested in covering this event should contact Chris Martrich (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to RSVP.