MLB, NFL stars give back to Valley through public donation drives

Arizona Cardinals’ NFL offensive lineman, Kelvin Beachum, and MLB All-Star, Curtis Granderson, are excited to team up once again in the fight against hunger with their second annual friendly competition that will raise funds for local food banks in Arizona and Chicago.

During November, Beachum and Granderson are calling on their supporters, fans and communities to make donations that directly support hunger relief efforts. Beachum will also host a Thanksgiving food distribution on Nov. 18.

“We are honored to once again be selected as the Arizona recipient for the funds raised by Kelvin Beachum,” said Jason Reed, CEO of United Food Bank in a statement.

Beachum will rally his community in support of United Food Bank in Arizona and Granderson will raise funds for the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Chicago. The athlete who raises the most funds throughout the entire month of November will be crowned the winner and will receive bragging rights.

New this year, Arizonans can visit the participating Raising Cane’s location each Tuesday and have a portion of their meal support United Food Bank and Team Beachum.

You must mention Team Beachum and the campaign or use the code RCFUND96 for online orders. Participating Raising Cane’s locations include:

• 11/18 – 1781 E. Warner Rd. Tempe, AZ 85284
• 11/25 – 1930 S. Greenfield Rd. Mesa, AZ 85206

Beachum is also teaming up with Paris Johnson Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals to host their annual Thanksgiving food distribution for Mesa Public School families in partnership with United Food Bank. This distribution will be held on Nov. 18 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., or until food runs out the Eisenhower Center for Innovation at 848 North Mesa Drive in Mesa.

“While over 47 million Americans still confront hunger on a daily basis, we can realistically hope to see the end of hunger in our lifetime,” said Beachum in a statement. “Each action taken to support those facing food insecurity helps in our quest to end hunger, one community at a time.”

To learn more information about the competition between Beachum and Granderson, as well as to make a donation, visit letsfeedaz.org. More information about United Food Bank can be found at unitedfoodbank.org/.