CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Bobcats Sports & Entertainment (BSE) and FOX Sports' regional network SportSouth are partnering to help fight hunger with an entire day of service dedicated to providing meals to underserved children, adults and families throughout the Charlotte community.
Through its Cats Care initiative, BSE is committed to helping the needs of the community in the areas of education, hunger and wellness.
This season, the organization identified hunger as the most significant issue facing this community and launched its full court press on hunger during the holiday season, feeding approximately 4,000 people for Thanksgiving and donating an additional 200 turkeys.
"One of my primary goals has been for this organization to become an active partner in the Charlotte community," said Bobcats Chairman Michael Jordan. "Our staff, players and coaches have continually been willing participants and today is one of many examples of our efforts to show our commitment to the community."
The highlighted element of the Second Annual Cats Care Day of Service will be the unveiling of a 26-foot, 14,000-pound refrigerated mobile pantry with logos representing the Bobcats, SportSouth and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which was funded by a cash donation of $250,000.
This vehicle will serve as a transport unit for over 100,000 pounds of pre-packaged food items and canned goods.
"Over the past few years, our relationship with the Charlotte Bobcats has been exceeded only by the commitment and joy they have brought to the thousands of people we have been able to serve as a result of their support," said Kay Carter, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. "Because of their ongoing generosity and willingness to actively participate, we have been able to raise the awareness in our community and continue to feed those who need it most. The addition of Fox Sports indicates to me that the Bobcats good deeds do not go unnoticed and we appreciate them for joining our efforts."
As part of the Day of Service, the entire BSE staff, including Bobcats players and coaches, will participate in a series of food distribution activities at locations including the Salvation Army Center of Hope Women's and Children's Shelter and Second Harvest Food Bank, as well as a "Players' Pantry" event at Time Warner Cable Arena, Mobile Pantry at J. H. Gunn Elementary School. and Kids Café at the Stratford-Richardson YMCA.
"Whether it's through the 'FOX Cares' initiative on the national FOX network telecasts or at the grassroots level in the local community, FOX Sports is actively dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves," said Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager at FOX Sports Carolinas and SportSouth.
"We are proud to team up with Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats in 'Putting the Full Court Press on Hunger' by supporting Second Harvest Food Bank and its effort to feed the hungry throughout the Charlotte community."
The day kicks off at 7:00 a.m. on Monday and runs through 6:00 p.m.
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment owns the Charlotte Bobcats and operates Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena.
