Bowling Green Hot Rods hold food drive to support veterans

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With this week being national hunger and homeless awareness week, a local sports team is making a community contribution.

As the days to Christmas get closer, trees, decorations and thoughts of presents fill our minds.

But the holidays aren’t always merry and bright for those who have served our country.

That’s where the Bowling Green Hot Rods are stepping up to the plate, with a non-perishable food drive, according to Eric Leach, the general manager and COO of the Hot Rods.

“It’s always good to contribute and that is kind of our heartbeat here at the Hot Rods. We always want to be able to do what we can in the community. A couple of my staff came to me with the idea and I’m like, ‘absolutely! Let’s run with it.’ What better way around the holidays for those who don’t have as much, especially the veterans, who have done some much for our country, to be able to do a food drive to help them out during the holiday season is awesome,” said Leach.

The items will be donated to the Veterans Alliance food pantry in Bowling Green.

This food drive started Monday and will go through Friday.

“Canned goods, boxed goods, anything like that they can drop off. Our normal business hours is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. all week long, but on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. we are going to have curbside pickup,” said Leech.

To the Hot Rods, the goal is to make sure these heroes have a memorable and healthy holiday season, emphasizing that the freedom to enjoy playing sports like baseball doesn’t always come free.

“One of the things that I love about Bowling Green is the heart of giving that from events like Stuff the Bus to Hotel Inc. to the food pantries to everything. It’s a community that really rallies together and that is what I love. It’s not the Hot Rods, it’s a bunch of individuals who all contribute and make such a big difference and make Bowling Green great and that is awesome to see,” said Leach.

It’s an act of love for those who have served the nation not only from the Hot Rods, but the community as a whole.

Anyone who donates will receive a $5 coupon to the hot rods merchandise store as a thank you from the team.