MLS Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Community Kitchen to Feed KC Residents in Need

Published on April 10, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Sporting Kansas City announced today the launch of Sporting Community Kitchen, partnering with City Foods & Events and Operation BBQ Relief to provide 1,000 free hot meals every weekday to citizens across Greater Kansas City affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beginning Monday, April 13, Sporting Community Kitchen will distribute 250 four-pack meal kits to people and families unable to work due to COVID-19. Meal packs will be available Monday through Friday via online registration, with curbside pickup at Children's Mercy Park during designated times. Prepared by award-winning Plowboys Barbeque, meal packs will consist of a rotating barbeque entrée, two sides and bread for four people.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: Media wishing to capture video footage of Sporting Community Kitchen in action are welcome to visit Children's Mercy Park next Wednesday, April 15, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. CT. Meal pickups will take place outside of the Budweiser Brew House, located at the corner of France Family Drive and Village West Parkway. Nikki Romolo, Sporting KC Vice President of Hospitality, will also be available for interviews. Media planning to attend can contact Sporting KC Director of Communications Kurt Austin at kaustin@sportingkc.com or 816-516-0577.

Sporting Community Kitchen meal registration will open at 8 a.m. CT on weekdays and remain open until all 250 slots are filled. Curbside pickup will take place outside of the Budweiser Brew House -- located at the northeast corner of Children's Mercy Park along France Family Drive -- from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT throughout the week. Individuals must register online in advance to receive a specific pickup time. No registrations will be accepted in person.

Sporting Community Kitchen: How to Sign Up Registration opens weekdays at 8 a.m. and remains open until all 250 slots are filled.

Secure your email confirmation and be prepared to present it upon pickup.

Arrive at the Budweiser Brew House at Children's Mercy Park during your designated pickup time (between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily). The Budweiser Brew House is located at the corner of France Family Drive and Village West Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas.

Remain in your vehicle, where you will be met by Sporting's staff. Present your email confirmation to receive your meal pack. Packaging/reheating instructions and allergen information will be included.

Inspired by the Rieger Hotel's Crossroads Community Kitchen, Sporting Community Kitchen will receive distribution support from local volunteers as well as packaging and bagging providers Sysco and Price Chopper, respectively. Individuals interested in joining the initiative as volunteers can email communitykitchen@sportingkc.com.

Sporting Community Kitchen is part of a newly established philanthropic platform called Sporting Serves, which will see Sporting Kansas City and The Victory Project -- the club's flagship charitable arm -- join several community partners to provide relief to citizens across the metropolitan area in a unified response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, Sporting and The Victory Project have donated 1,200 non-latex gloves to Children's Mercy Hospital and 200 soccer balls to Ott Elementary School in Independence, Missouri, while continuing to support children and families affected by pediatric cancer through the Sporting Wishes program and a family assistance fund to aid with medical bills and household needs. More information about Sporting Serves will be announced in the near term.

Founded in May 2011, Operation BBQ Relief has provided over 3 million meals throughout the United States and internationally following natural disasters and through The Always Serving Project, benefiting the homeless, first responders, veterans and servicemen and women. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Operation BBQ Relief formally partnered with Plowboys Barbeque last month to pilot the Restaurant Relief Program, designed to feed the community while supporting restaurants and their employees. Individuals are encouraged to make donations to Operation BBQ Relief.

Check out the Sporting Kansas City Statistics

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