Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbus Urban League partners with Bread of Life Food Pantry to bring Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley’s vision to life; help local families celebrate Father’s Day with a hot meal
COLUMBUS – When Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley decided to donate $200,000 to help five communities around the country hit hard by COVID-19 that shaped him personally and professionally over the years, he reached out to the Columbus Urban League.
Conley knew his college and still hometown was hurting. The coronavirus had exposed the disparities in the African American community – poor health outcomes, chronic disease, food insecurity, homelessness, and remote learning needs – that had been long ignored and now exacerbated by the pandemic.
The Columbus Urban League, in its mission to create hope and opportunity for the nearly 40,000 African American and disadvantaged urban families it touches every year, has partnered with the Community of Caring Development Foundation Bread of Life Food Pantry, to distribute 1,000 to-go meals on Saturday, June 20, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Salem Baptist Church (2956 Cleveland Ave. in Columbus) for local families (up to four members) celebrating Father’s Day. Families can click here to pre-register for a FREE Father’s Day Meal.
The drive-up, to-go meals, offered on a first-come, first-served basis, will include chicken, Bob Evans macaroni and cheese, and a variety of fresh produce and canned goods, along with personal protection items such as masks, hand sanitizer, soap and more.
“We know that many local families are still reeling from the punch of COVID-19, trying day-to-day to make ends meet and keep food on the table,” said Columbus Urban League President & CEO Stephanie Hightower. “Our hope is that this celebration of our fathers, uncles and neighbors, with a hot meal, extra food, and PPE, will help bring some relief. Thanks to Mike and Mary Conley’s generous contribution and our partnership with the Community of Caring Development Foundation, we’ll be able to help several hundred families whose children have been a part of Columbus Urban League outreach programs this past year.”
The Community of Caring Development Foundation operates the New Salem Church’s Bread of Life Food Pantry, a 30-year institution that serves nearly 200 families a week with food and other supplies. With the onset of COVID-19, the food pantry staff restructured its operations to protect volunteers and serve clients in a safe and secure setting using the proper PPE (including masks and gloves), sanitation, and social distancing.
“This will be a drive-up Father’s Day meal giveaway where our volunteers will be handing out meals until the supply is gone,” said Adam Troy, chief engagement officer for the Community of Caring Development Foundation. “Everything we do is to inspire hope and health in our local communities, to connect resources, and work together with organizations like the Columbus Urban League to find ways to keep us all safe and strong during these challenging times.”
For more information, visit www.cul.org and www.callingallconnectors.org.
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About the Columbus Urban League
For more than 100 years, the Columbus Urban League has not wavered. We remain steadfast in our commitment to create hope and opportunity for the nearly 40,000 African American and disadvantaged urban families we touch every year. We proudly offer an authentic, integrated system of services that touch every neighborhood in Columbus and Franklin County. This work strengthens families, overcomes barriers, achieves
economic mobility, fosters entrepreneurship, constructs on-ramps to wealth creation through smart financial practices, and teaches children critical academic and life skills. For more information about the Columbus Urban League, visit www.cul.org.
About Community of Caring Development Foundation (CCD Foundation)
As the Community and Economic Development Arm of New Salem Baptist Church, The Community of Caring Development Foundation (CCD Foundation), a 501C3 organization, has planted seeds of hope and health in Linden and witnessed what can be accomplished when neighbors join together to create a connected community. Over the last three years, we have continued our commitment to investing in the lives of individuals and families by providing access to affordable housing for more than 1,000 families, over 300,000 meals, $20,000 in community grants and more than $70,000 in academic scholarship awards. Visit us at callingallconnectors.org. We are proud to call the Linden community HOME!
About the Utah Jazz
Founded as the 18th member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1974, and located in Salt Lake City since 1979, the Utah Jazz are committed to excellence as a team and in the community. On the court, the Jazz are the second-winningest team in the NBA over the last 30 years, having won nine division titles and two Western Conference championships along with 16 seasons of 50-plus wins, and are supported by one of the
most passionate fan bases in all of sports. Away from the court, the Jazz are very active in the local community and have assisted a multitude of organizations and worthy causes by way of charitable donations, service and grants through Larry H. Miller Charities. The Utah Jazz also operate the Junior Jazz program, the largest and longest-running youth basketball league in the NBA, featuring more than 60,000 players and an additional13,000 volunteers who take part annually across seven states. For more information on the Utah Jazz, visit www.utahjazz.com.
