Help Feed High School Athletes

 

You guys know I work with Backpack Buddies and the food bank, right? Childhood hunger statistics are staggering. Even in high school and college many kids go hungry. It’s enough to make you lose your appetite…and all faith in humanity when you hear the diatribes against these kids, victims of their circumstances and no less to blame for their hunger than my children are to be praised for their meals. I devote much of my heart, time, funds, and voice to ensure kids are fed. Children of any age cannot study, much less excel, when they are hungry. The rumbling of their bellies is louder than the teacher’s voice. We all joke about being “hangry” when we’ve reached our lack of food tipping point. For most of us that means all we have to do is open a pantry door and find something to eat. Now think what it must be to feel hangry all the damn time.

Imagine the grumbling of an empty stomach during and after football practice in the Carolina heat. Headache. Dizziness. Nausea. Exhaustion.

Students at a local high school are struggling. Football players face brutal workouts in Hades-like conditions. These kids are part of a team and likely stay out of trouble and harm’s way by participating in a school sport. But they can’t afford to eat. A number of JV and Varsity players are unable to pay for the team’s game day meals. These boys have been at school since 7:00 in the morning, exerting themselves on multiple levels, and face the field on an empty stomach.

Each player is supposed to pay $85 for game day meals for the season, which runs  through October 31.  $20 of that $85 is for post-game Gatorade and a snack (like a bag of pretzels or crackers). About half the boys have paid, and those who could, have paid extra for those who can’t. I know lots of kind folks who have done this sort of thing for school supplies and field trips. No one wants children to suffer or feel belittled. Some families who are unable to front the $85 are paying week to week. But there are many more who simply cannot pay. The details of these families’ lives are unknown to me, but based on the work I have done with families in crisis, I can imagine.

The school’s athletic booster club doesn’t have enough money to pay for everyone, and parents are struggling to find solutions. Again, no one wants the kids to suffer indignities. Sadly, there have been plenty of stories of children unable to pay for school lunches facing painful indignities. It’s inexcusable, really.

I think this small space of mine can help these kids. Playing a team sport is chock full of benefits, and I want to help these boys be successful and confident. Can you help? Please. If you would like to donate, write a check to EEABC (Enloe Eagle Athletic Booster Club) and put “football meal” in the memo line. Send to J.Cox at 1022 W. South St. Raleigh, NC 27603

Every little bit helps. THANK YOU.

And if you own a restaurant or know of a place that would be willing to provide a meal, for both JV and Varsity teams on Thursday and Friday nights, that would be fanfreakingtastic. Shout out to CiCi’s Pizza and Jimmy John’s for providing some meals! Any restaurant who donates would get a mention at the games and could hang a banner. 

In closing, food for thought…

My friend’s son plays on the JV football team and has to go home and study after the game. I can’t begin to imagine how spent he must be. A typical post-game meal for him is:

• 2 eggs
• grilled cheese sandwich
• cereal
• fruit
• milkshake

It’s bad enough feeling that famished, but to be that hungry and try to focus on homework?!