Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of the Charlotte Hornets Unveils Sponsored Food Bank of South Jersey Hope Mobile
South Jersey Native and NBA Basketball Player Helps Provide Meals to Those in Need
Pennsauken, NJ, May 03, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets, announced his sponsorship of a Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) “Hope Mobile,” an 18-wheel tractor trailer which holds 45,000 lbs. of food to distribute to local areas in need. Kidd-Gilchrist will unveil his branded Hope Mobile on Saturday, May 6th for a food distribution service to be held at the Winslow Township Elementary School on 131 Sicklerville Road, Sicklerville, NJ from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Originally from Somerdale, Kidd-Gilchrist began his basketball career in high school playing for St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, NJ where he was largely recognized as one of the top players in the United States having been ranked as the #3 player by ESPN.com and #1 player in his position by Scout.com. He went on to play college basketball and win a National Championship at the University of Kentucky, and was later drafted in 2012 to play professionally with the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets). A member of a family of life-long philanthropists, Kidd-Gilchrist’s mother, grandmother, and other family members regularly volunteer at FBSJ food distribution sites in their community and will join the basketball player at the unveiling ceremony of his sponsored tractor trailer.
“My family have been big supporters of the Food Bank of South Jersey for a long time, and they’ve always valued the importance of giving back, which is something I try to uphold in my career,” states Kidd-Gilchrist. “It’s a humbling experience for me to be in a position that allows me to give back in a significant way, especially in my hometown of South Jersey.”
FBSJ’s Hope Mobile program functions as the organization’s mobile food pantry bringing crucial resources to individuals living in areas known as “food deserts” - places that lack access to a viable network of well-balanced, nutrient-rich food sources that enable healthy lifestyles. There are over 20 known food deserts across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and Salem counties of which FBSJ services to reach the nearly 50,000 residents who struggle with food insecurity in these areas.
“We work to provide hope to families, seniors, and food-insecure residents who are struggling to make ends meet with the limited food resources they have in their area,” states Val Traore, the President and CEO of FBSJ who spearheaded an expansion of the Hope Mobile initiative in 2014. “Having the support of a hometown hero like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to help us expand this initiative is what continues to inspire hope for the thousands of people who rely on this service to lead better lives for themselves and their families. We cannot thank Michael enough for his compassion and generosity in sponsoring this Hope Mobile food pantry.”
Kidd-Gilchrist, his family, and FBSJ staff and volunteers will distribute food to Hope Mobile recipients during the unveiling ceremony. The truck will continue to service individuals in need throughout the year at various locations across South Jersey.
For more information about FBSJ’s Hope Mobile program, visit www.foodbanksj.org.
About the Food Bank of South Jersey
The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. In 2016, FBSJ provided over 11 million pounds of food to approximately 200,000 South Jersey residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more visit www.foodbanksj.org.
Originally from Somerdale, Kidd-Gilchrist began his basketball career in high school playing for St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, NJ where he was largely recognized as one of the top players in the United States having been ranked as the #3 player by ESPN.com and #1 player in his position by Scout.com. He went on to play college basketball and win a National Championship at the University of Kentucky, and was later drafted in 2012 to play professionally with the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets). A member of a family of life-long philanthropists, Kidd-Gilchrist’s mother, grandmother, and other family members regularly volunteer at FBSJ food distribution sites in their community and will join the basketball player at the unveiling ceremony of his sponsored tractor trailer.
“My family have been big supporters of the Food Bank of South Jersey for a long time, and they’ve always valued the importance of giving back, which is something I try to uphold in my career,” states Kidd-Gilchrist. “It’s a humbling experience for me to be in a position that allows me to give back in a significant way, especially in my hometown of South Jersey.”
FBSJ’s Hope Mobile program functions as the organization’s mobile food pantry bringing crucial resources to individuals living in areas known as “food deserts” - places that lack access to a viable network of well-balanced, nutrient-rich food sources that enable healthy lifestyles. There are over 20 known food deserts across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and Salem counties of which FBSJ services to reach the nearly 50,000 residents who struggle with food insecurity in these areas.
“We work to provide hope to families, seniors, and food-insecure residents who are struggling to make ends meet with the limited food resources they have in their area,” states Val Traore, the President and CEO of FBSJ who spearheaded an expansion of the Hope Mobile initiative in 2014. “Having the support of a hometown hero like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to help us expand this initiative is what continues to inspire hope for the thousands of people who rely on this service to lead better lives for themselves and their families. We cannot thank Michael enough for his compassion and generosity in sponsoring this Hope Mobile food pantry.”
Kidd-Gilchrist, his family, and FBSJ staff and volunteers will distribute food to Hope Mobile recipients during the unveiling ceremony. The truck will continue to service individuals in need throughout the year at various locations across South Jersey.
For more information about FBSJ’s Hope Mobile program, visit www.foodbanksj.org.
About the Food Bank of South Jersey
The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. In 2016, FBSJ provided over 11 million pounds of food to approximately 200,000 South Jersey residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more visit www.foodbanksj.org.
Contact
Food Bank of South Jersey
Lauren Hann
856-375-4417
foodbanksj.org
Lauren Hann
856-375-4417
foodbanksj.org
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