WASHINGTON - D.C. United announced today that its United Drives initiative will continue during the month of July, with the collection of non-perishable food items. D.C. United will play at home tomorrow, July 9 against Kansas City and on Friday, July 15 against San Jose. At each game, donations of items such as canned fruits and vegetables, boxed pasta, rice, cereal and soups will be accepted to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.
"As summer approaches many kids are consumed with thoughts of having fun in the sun, yet for the 100,000 children in the Washington, D.C. Metro area who are at risk for hunger, summer can be a time for survival. We are delighted that the D.C. United Food Drive will provide nourishment to our neighbors in need and remind the community that hunger never takes a vacation," said Lynn Brantley, President and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank.
The Capital Area Food Bank distributes 20 million pounds of food every year to local nonprofit organizations including soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers, elderly care facilities, youth programs and faith-based organizations. The mission of the organization is to feed those who suffer from hunger in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area and to educate the community about the issues of hunger and nutrition.
At all D.C. United regular season home games, the United Drives booth will be located outside of RFK Stadium's Gate A and will open an hour and a half prior to kickoff, closing 15 minutes into the first half. Any fan that donates an item will receive a "Buy One, Get One Free" ticket voucher good for any D.C. United regular season home game as well as a United promotional item, as a thank you from the club.
Through United Drives, D.C. United chooses a different item to collect during each month of the season. The items collected by United Drives include children's toys (April) to benefit Children's National Medical Center, children's books (May) and school supplies (August) to benefit United for D.C., toiletry items (June) to benefit the Dinner Program for Homeless Women, canned food (July) to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, soccer equipment (September) to benefit DC SCORES and coats and clothes (October) to benefit The Children's Center located in Ward 8.
For more information on the United Drives program or to receive more information about any of D.C. United's Community Relations' initiatives, please contact Catherine Marquette at 202-587-5443 or cmarquette@dcunited.com.
Remaining 2005 United Drives Schedule
Dates, Drive, Beneficiary
July (9th & 15th), Food Drive, Capital Area Food Bank
August (10th, 13th & 20th), School Supplies Drive, United for D.C.
September (17th), Soccer Equipment Drive, DC SCORES
October (8th & 15th), Coat & Clothes Drive, The Children's Center
