Warriors vs. Raptors Match-Up Inspires International “Food Bank Finals Challenge”
Fundraising competition asks Golden State/Toronto fans to show their generosity
OAKLAND and SAN FRANCISCO, CA, (May 30th, 2019) – The NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Raptors isn’t just a battle happening on the hardwood: Starting on May 30th, fans of both teams are also competing in the Food Bank Finals Challenge – a friendly contest to see which team’s fans are the most generous when it comes to supporting local nonprofits.
Warriors fans are being asked to make financial donations to Alameda County Community Food Bank or the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. In Toronto, Raptor fans are encouraged to donate to Sick Kids.
“Over the last four years, we’ve learned that Warriors fans are as passionate about ending hunger as they are for championships,” said Suzan Bateson, Executive Director of Alameda County Community Food Bank. “This year, we’re sincerely grateful to Bay Area and Toronto fans for helping causes that are critically important in their home communities as they cheer their teams on.”
Added Paul Ash, Executive Director of the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, “It’s been an exciting 5-year run with the Warriors in the NBA Finals – made more enjoyable by the Dubs fans who celebrate this greatness with donations that continue to lift-up thousands of Bay Area neighbors in need.
As she’s done since the 2015 NBA Finals, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf is also supporting local food bank fundraising efforts as part of her friendly wagers with mayors of competing cities. “As the defending champion Warriors have shown, there is Strength in Numbers,” says Schaaf. “I’m urging all Warrior fans to rise to the challenge to show our compassion for our most vulnerable residents and commit to raising critical funds for families struggling with hunger in the Bay Area.”
Donations for the Food Bank Finals Challenge can be made online (see web links below) and totals donated by Warriors Fans will be reported daily during the duration of the NBA Finals.
- Alameda County Community Food Bank: http://www.accfb.org/foodbankfinals/
- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank: sfmfoodbank.org/foodbankfinals/
- Sick Kids: https://www.sickkids.ca/
Mark Seelig
Public Relations Manager – San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext. 270; (cell) 415-246-9146
mseelig@sfmfoodbank.org
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About Alameda County Community Food Bank
Alameda County Community Food Bank—Feeding America’s 2016-2017 Food Bank of the Year–has been at the forefront of hunger relief efforts in the Bay Area since 1985. This year, the Food Bank will distribute the equivalent of 28 million meals. More than half of the food distributed is farm-fresh produce. The Food Bank serves 1 in 5 Alameda County residents by distributing food through a network of 267 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community organizations, as well as direct-distribution programs including Children’s Backpack and Mobile Pantry. For 12 consecutive years, Alameda County Community Food Bank has received Charity Navigator’s top rating — Four Stars — ranking the organization among the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Learn more at www.accfb.org.
About the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone is able to obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and food-stamp (CalFresh) enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org.
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