Orioles, Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program team up to fight hunger in Sarasota area

The Orioles and the Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program are teaming up again this year to collect and distribute food to help people in need in the Sarasota area. Beginning November 1, the Orioles will collect non-perishable food items at Ed Smith Stadium and will host the charity's Thanksgiving Sorting Day at the stadium on November 22. "Hosting the Mayors' Feed the Hungry food sorting day at Ed Smith Stadium again this year demonstrates the Orioles' strong belief in going to bat against hunger," said David Rovine, Vice President, Orioles-Sarasota. "The Orioles are proud to be a part of the Sarasota community, and we remain a committed year-round community partner, giving back through OriolesREACH and our Sarasota 365 program." Beginning November 1, non-perishable food items may be dropped off at Ed Smith Stadium, located at 2700 12th street, on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The collection station is located at the Euclid Avenue entrance, just south of Café 54. The stadium will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans' Day. On Friday, November 22, volunteers are needed to sort food collected from locations throughout the community. Sorting will take place in the East Lot between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sorting day volunteers do not need to sign up in advance. The Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that has helped more than 390,000 hungry persons in Sarasota and Manatee counties since 1987. The organization's Thanksgiving food drive collects tons of non-perishable food items annually. Food is distributed through charitable groups, religious institutions and service agencies. Mayors' Feed the Hungry also uses cash donations to distribute food gift cards. "Before the Orioles joined with us in 2012, we had been holding our food drives in a grass parking lot for the last 12 years, so the facilities at Ed Smith Stadium were a huge improvement," said SCOTT BIEHLER, Vice Chairman of the charity. "We also benefited from the Orioles' outreach to media and local residents, helping to generate more food donations and participating collection locations last year." "Mayors' Feed the Hungry does not receive government funds, and we are all volunteers. Corporate partners like the Baltimore Orioles are vital to serving the thousands of local residents who would go hungry without our help," said Biehler. The program is endorsed by the mayors of Sarasota, Bradenton, Palmetto, Venice, and Longboat Key, as well as the chairs of the North Port City Council and the Sarasota and Manatee County Commissions. More information can be found at www.mayorsfeedthehungry.org. The Orioles' participation with the Mayors' Feed the Hungry Program is part of Sarasota 365, a host of initiatives through which the Baltimore Orioles and OriolesREACH demonstrate the ballclub's year-round engagement with the Greater Sarasota community. Whether hosting youth activities, participating in charitable causes or partnering in efforts to boost the local economy, the Orioles are active in the region all year long, proving that their commitment to the club's southern home goes far beyond baseball. For more information or to sign up for the Orioles in Sarasota e-newsletter, visit www.orioles.com/sarasota.