By Lenny Coltrane
bobcats.com
June 14, 2012
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment’s (BSE) community service initiative, Cats Care, partnered with No Kid Hungry North Carolina, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Governor Bev Perdue on June 14 at Thomasboro Academy to initiate this summer’s SUMMER MEALS Program for Children.
No Kid Hungry North Carolina is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports the programs and initiatives of the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service to aid in the elimination of childhood hunger in North Carolina by 2015.
“This campaign is really important,” said No Kid Hungry representative Gavin Coombs. “We’re working really hard to make sure every child is fed in the summer because it’s the time when most kids are not getting a meal.”
More than 200 children sat in amazement as Bobcats guard Kemba Walker, members of the Lady Cats and Rufus were introduced by Steve Martin to demonstrate on big play telephones how families can send a text (text FoodNC to 877877) to find free meals throughout the summer at various locations.
In addition to the lunch, children received gift bags full of Bobcats paraphernalia, including an autographed basketball signed by Walker.
“It’s my duty as a professional basketball player to give back to the community,” said Walker. “I’m more than happy to give back in any way possible.”
Serving the community has been an initiative Bobcats Chairman Michael Jordan has emphasized since the beginning of his tenure and programs like this epitomize his mission.
“The work we’re doing today is the work of the future for this great state,” Governor Bev Perdue added. “Let’s help these kids so these kids can help us later.”