Locals are encouraged to partner with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Champions of Character program as student-athletes donate and collect food items during the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
Teams will accept and sort donations Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at the Gulf Shores Welcome Center (3459 Gulf Shores Parkway) from 9-10:30 a.m.
“These student-athletes exude the NAIA’s Champions of Character mission to demonstrate the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership,” said Beth Gendler, vice president of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. “We hope the community rallies alongside the NAIA to help fight hunger in our beach communities.”
Through Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Backpack Program, the donated food items will be distributed to local children whom teachers and counselors have identified as struggling with chronic hunger and in need of food to get through a weekend. These food items are discretely placed in students’ backpacks, with each student getting enough food for six meals and two snacks. Requested items include pop-top meals such as beef ravioli and soups; single-serve microwaveable macaroni and cheese; snack items such as pudding cups, applesauce and fruit snacks; and breakfast items such as single-serve instant grits and granola bars.
Area residents can also support the NAIA student-athletes here for the championships by attending the various competitions being held May 24-26 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex (19025 Oak Road). Day passes are $8 and weekend passes are $20.
To learn more about donating to the backpack program, contact Sarah Cooper at 251-974-4611 or SCooper@GulfShores.com. Visit NAIA.orgfor more on the NAIA. For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit GulfShores.com/Sports, or call 1-800-745-SAND.
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