Washington Nationals fans turned out in spades both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon to raise food and funds for the Capital Area Food Bank and to cheer the Nats onto victory. Both efforts were blow out successes with the food bank receiving literally TONS in donations and the Nats going on to split the series with the Philadelphia Phillies after dropping the first two games.
“We are so grateful to the Nats and to Harris Teeter for the powerful partnership they have put together for hunger,” said Nancy Roman, President and CEO of the CAFB. “They are great partners for the folks who need them most.”
The Nats clobbered the Phillies 11-0 on Saturday evening, the same night as Day to Serve’s interfaith fundraiser. And what a service Washington Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon provided for his teammates! Rendon, who volunteered at the CAFB last summer, delivered an MVP performance by driving in a few runs, including a three-run homer, while also helping shut out the Phillies.
Though starting pitcher Jordan Zimmerman delivered a commanding performance by allowing no runs in seven innings, relievers Jerry Blevins and Blake Treinen also deserve praise. Blevins, who taught children how to make a healthy salsa at the CAFB, took to the mound in the eighth and helped preserve the shut out.
On Sunday, it was starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg’s turn to frustrate the Phillies’ batters. Like the night before, the Nats depressed batting averages of some of the game’s biggest hitters and went on to win in shut-out fashion, 4-0.
It is a grand slam against hunger whenever the Capital Area Food Bank partners with the Washington Nationals, Harris Teeter and Day to Serve. Together, professional sports teams, grocers and interfaith groups can greatly help solve hunger in the Washington metro area.