TEMPE, Ariz.-- The Arizona State softball team will host a food drive during the team's final home stand of the fall season Saturday at Farrington Stadium. Fans are encouraged to support the team by bringing non-perishable food items to be donated at collections sites around Farrington Stadium during the team's doubleheader against Yavapai College and South Mountain CC Saturday afternoon. First pitch against Yavapai in game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with game two against South Mountain tentatively scheduled for 3:00 p.m. AZT.
"I think it is one of the most important things we can do as a team, to serve," head coach Trisha Ford said. "I like to look at myself as a servant and is something that is important for me to teach our team what that means. Softball is a means for us to grow and develop, and I feel like this is the type of developing I am 100 percent behind. Our girls are very excited about it. November is a time where we typically think of giving, but for me, I think the challenge is finding ways to continue that throughout the year because their are always people in need. Continuing that awareness is something that is extremely important."
It is estimated that nearly one in three children, and one in five Arizonans live in poverty, making food drives like Saturday's important not only in the community, but in the state of Arizona.
On top of the staggering numbers of Arizonans living at, or below, the poverty line, it is also estimated that Arizona's hunger rates are higher than national averages. About 17 percent of Arizonans are food insecure, compared to 15.9 percent nationally, and 28.2 percent of Arizonan children face challenges directly related to hunger, compared to 21.6 percent nationally.
Recognizing an immediate need to hep those struggling with food security, St. Mary's was founded in 1967 as the world's first food bank. The idea came to founder John van Hengel when he was volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul, serving dinner to those in need.
When a mother stated that soup kitchens and grocery store dumpsters were the only way she could feed her children, the concept of a food bank was born, wherein individuals and companies with excess money and food could "deposit" it, and those in need could "withdraw" it. Van Hengel approached his local parish, St. Mary's Basilica, with his vision and was given $3,000 and an abandoned building. Van Hengel's idea became a reality, and in gratitude, he named his organization "St. Mary's." Inspired by his accomplishments, cities nationwide began opening food banks to feed those in need. Soon, other countries were following his lead.
Today, St. Mary's Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the United States, and proud of the impact it has had on Arizona and the world.
*Some text, as well as all statistics, are courtesy of firstfoodbank.org
"I think it is one of the most important things we can do as a team, to serve," head coach Trisha Ford said. "I like to look at myself as a servant and is something that is important for me to teach our team what that means. Softball is a means for us to grow and develop, and I feel like this is the type of developing I am 100 percent behind. Our girls are very excited about it. November is a time where we typically think of giving, but for me, I think the challenge is finding ways to continue that throughout the year because their are always people in need. Continuing that awareness is something that is extremely important."
It is estimated that nearly one in three children, and one in five Arizonans live in poverty, making food drives like Saturday's important not only in the community, but in the state of Arizona.
On top of the staggering numbers of Arizonans living at, or below, the poverty line, it is also estimated that Arizona's hunger rates are higher than national averages. About 17 percent of Arizonans are food insecure, compared to 15.9 percent nationally, and 28.2 percent of Arizonan children face challenges directly related to hunger, compared to 21.6 percent nationally.
Recognizing an immediate need to hep those struggling with food security, St. Mary's was founded in 1967 as the world's first food bank. The idea came to founder John van Hengel when he was volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul, serving dinner to those in need.
When a mother stated that soup kitchens and grocery store dumpsters were the only way she could feed her children, the concept of a food bank was born, wherein individuals and companies with excess money and food could "deposit" it, and those in need could "withdraw" it. Van Hengel approached his local parish, St. Mary's Basilica, with his vision and was given $3,000 and an abandoned building. Van Hengel's idea became a reality, and in gratitude, he named his organization "St. Mary's." Inspired by his accomplishments, cities nationwide began opening food banks to feed those in need. Soon, other countries were following his lead.
Today, St. Mary's Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the United States, and proud of the impact it has had on Arizona and the world.
*Some text, as well as all statistics, are courtesy of firstfoodbank.org