CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers and Giant Eagle have partnered to launch the Million Meals Mission, with the goal of serving 1 million meals in underserved areas in northeast Ohio by Sept. 25 next year.
Accorrding to a press release from the Cavs, the Million Meals Mission was launched back in October and is working with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Children’s Hunger Alliance and The Hunger Network.
"Our organization is on a mission to eradicate food insecurity in Northeast Ohio," said Kevin Clayton, Cleveland Cavaliers executive vice president and chief impact and equity officer, in the release. "By collaborating with diverse partners to organize food drives, distributions and provide resources, we're working tirelessly to ensure that no community member goes hungry.”
Cavs team members recently joined others from Giant Eagle and Cleveland-Cliffs to package and distribute around 6,000 meals. It was during the distribution that a new refrigerated produce truck was unveiled.
That truck will be used by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank “to deliver fresh produce and shelf-stable foods to community members across Northeast Ohio.”
There will be another meal-packing event in early December, according to the release, which will feature 200 volunteers at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. They will be packing 50,000 meals, to be donated to the Children’s Hunger Alliance.
The Cavs and Giant Eagle will also be volunteering at the Hunger Network’s Midtown Market Pantry later in December as part of their efforts.
“It was incredibly important to both Giant Eagle and the Cavaliers that giving back to the communities we both serve be a central part of our renewed partnership,” said Dan Donovan, Giant Eagle senior director of public relations and sports partnerships, in the release. “With the amazing support of Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Children's Hunger Alliance, The Hunger Network and the passionate Cavaliers fan community, we know we can reach our mission of delivering one million meals to our neighbors in need.”