Food Network super star Paula Deen – the “Queen of Southern Cuisine” is no stranger to being around either athletes or ball park food. Deen was in town to help the Washington Nationals players and their wives deliver more than 100,000 servings of donated protein to Capital Area Food Bank as part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes initiative. I spoke to Ms. Deen about her involvement with the Nationals and the Capital Area Food Bank.
Ms. Deen on the Nationals initiative:”Being able to help get food to the people of Washington through organizations like the Capital Area Food Bank is so very important. We are seeing working families that used to be people who donated to food banks now in need of food. So anything that the Washington area can do to help goes a very long way to feeding people in need. Our goal nationwide with the Smithfield project is to feed 20 million people. ”
Ms. Deen on what athletes like to eat:”It is funny I saw my old friend Ray Knight at Nationals Park and he is a fried chicken man. Most players that I have met over the years love fried chicken, ribs, steak, seafood and frankly just about anything. I will tell you that many athletes are fans of the Food Network and are just as competitive about their cooking as they are about their sports. For the record I am available to be a coach anytime.”
Ms. Deen on what she eats at the ball park:”Well I am a fan of hot dogs. There is nothing better than sitting down in the stands and enjoying a nice hot dog and a cool beverage while watching a game. I did try one of Ben’s Chili Bowl hot dogs the other day and I know why President Obama likes them. I did have fun with the Nationals mascot “Screech” I told him I would love to fry him up and he ran for the hills.”
This weekend during the “Battle of the Beltway” as Washington takes on Baltimore fans have a chance to really help out by bringing food to Nationals Park.
Nationals’ Annual Food Drive, which gives fans the opportunity to make their own contributions to those in need by bringing non-perishable food items to Nationals Park during the Battle of the Beltways series on Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23rd. The collection point will be at the Center Field Gate from the time gates open through the fourth inning collecting non-perishable items, including whole grains such as dried pasta and rice, soups and canned vegetables, as well as paper products.
I commend the Nationals, Ms. Deen, Virginia based Smithfield and of course the Capital Area Food Bank for their efforts.
Here is something to think about: Food Banks nationwide are reporting a 25 percent increase in the number of people coming to them for help. The current recession and the continuing unemployment are having a profound effect on Food Banks’ ability to meet the demand. As a result, food assistance organizations across the country have been reporting over the past year that more individuals and families are turning to them for assistance including more first-time visitors, unemployed workers, employed individuals, seniors and families with children.
It is very important for sports fans to start this weekend to bring food to Nationals Park but this is a year round problem and as a community let’s makes sure that we fight hunger in the Greater Washington Area.
