Perdue Farms, Delmarva Shorebirds Launch ‘2017 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva’

From left are Charmin Horton, branch manager of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Mike Hooks with the Maryland Food Bank, Chris Bitters, general manager of the Shorebirds, Steve Evans, president of Perdue Foods, and Chad Robinson, Milford branch manager of the Food Bank of Delaware.

SALISBURY, Md. — As part of a company commitment to fight hunger in our communities, Perdue Farms and the Delmarva Shorebirds announce the launch of the annual season-long “2017 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva” in partnership with the region’s three food banks.

To jumpstart the challenge, the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation — the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms — has issued a $15,000 challenge grant to the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Eastern Shore Branch of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

The campaign provides the forum to continue the awareness and community engagement in hunger relief that began with Perdue’s sponsorship of the 2011 South Atlantic League Perdue Strike Out Hunger All-Star Game promotions. Since then, the Shorebirds, their fans and the food banks have embraced the challenge to provide more than 700,000 meal equivalents for those in need on Delmarva.

“At Perdue Farms, we believe that in a country as rich as ours, no one should have to go hungry. The Strike Out Hunger Challenge has provided a wonderful forum to raise awareness about those struggling with hunger on Delmarva,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Foundation. “We are proud to be part of this unique collaborative partnership for the greater good of the Delmarva community.”

As Jimmy Sweet, assistant general manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds, said, “The Shorebirds look forward to working again with Perdue this season to bring awareness to hunger relief in our communities and improve the quality of life for our neighbors. Since 2011, we have made major strides together to keep hunger top of mind, while generating hundreds of thousands of meals to help the hungry.”

How The ‘Challenge’ Works

The first $10,000 of the Foundation’s challenge grant will be divided equally among the three Delmarva food banks as a challenge to involve the Delmarva community in the regional fight against hunger. Each food bank must raise the equivalent of 10,000 meals in order to claim its share of the $10,000 challenge grant. Any combination of pounds of food collected, funds collected and donated, or volunteer efforts from the Shorebirds’ home opener on Wednesday, April 13, through the final game of the regular season at home on Tuesday, Sept. 4, will count toward each food bank’s challenge goal.

Perdue has also committed to donate $10 for each time a Shorebirds’ pitcher strikes out an opposing batter (up to $5,000). The $5,000 will be split equally between the three food banks.

Shorebirds Plan Promotions To Support Strike Out Hunger

The Shorebirds plan a variety of promotions to generate interest in the Strike Out Hunger Challenge at their 70 home games.

The Shorebirds have designated the season’s 11 Sunday home games as “Strike Out Hunger Sundays.” If fans bring two non-perishable food items to the stadium they can receive an upper reserved ticket to that day’s game for $3. Food collected from the 11 Sunday home games will be distributed equally among the three food banks.

In addition, food donation barrels will be located at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, making it easy for fans to help by bringing food items to the game or just stopping by the stadium.

If you, or your organization, would like to get involved in the 2017 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva, contact the Delmarva Shorebirds at 410-219-3112 or one of the three participating food banks: Maryland (410) 742-0050, Delaware (302) 424-3301 or Virginia (757) 787-2557.