To help kickoff the 2019 NFL Draft, 21 of this year’s prospects joined hundreds of volunteers from the NFL and the Nashville community in the fight against hunger. More than 500 people participated in the Huddle Against Hunger at Nissan Stadium, the first major community event organized as part of Huddle for 100, the NFL’s initiative to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time. The group packed 8,000 bags to be given to students through The Bridge to Kids backpack program, an ongoing program that feeds 2,000+ children a week. The NFL partnered with local organizations Second Harvest Food Bank Middle Tennessee and The Bridge Ministry to organize this event, which was also made possible thanks to generous donations from Campbell’s and Tostitos, who contributed food included in the backpacks.
Nashville Mayor David Briley made opening remarks, followed by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who noted that the NFL’s goal to drive 100 million minutes of service in commemoration of the 100th season was off to a resounding start thanks to the volunteer group that helped make this event such a success. Briley and Goodell both joined in the event, donating their time to help this great cause. Volunteers were also representing the Tennessee Titans, the NFL League, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, The Bridge Ministry, and Second Harvest Food Bank Middle Tennessee. Students who won a local food drive competition were also in attendance. Fairview High School students collected over 5,900 items to earn their invitation to the event. Whole Heart Academy and Anchored Enrichment, part of the Fuel UP to Play 60 program, also ran very successful food drives.
Bringing together generations of the NFL family, the Huddle Against Hunger showed the collective impact that can be made, while also having a little fun. “It’s amazing to see volunteers of all ages come out to support such an important cause that effects thousands of children across the state of Tennessee every day,” said Anna Isaacson, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility, NFL. “We couldn’t have asked for a better volunteer group to have helped make this event such a success and we’re thrilled to get these food kits in the hands of those who need them most later this week.” The excitement will continue Friday when the backpacks assembled this morning will be delivered to local schools by NFL players who are in town for the draft.
The Huddle Against Hunger ran through Sunday, May 5th, with active food drives at supportive local businesses throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. This served as the start of the season-long journey to contribute one-hundred million minutes to communities throughout the nation.
