Hornets forward P.J. Washington speaks with some young folks earlier this month, as the team partnered with Food Lion to give two local families a grocery shopping spree. (Photo credit: Charlotte Hornets)
The Charlotte Hornets have been active in the community this holiday season, sharing nourishment, presents, and diversion for residents in need.
As part of an annual partnership with ‘Food Lion Feeds,’ an extension of the Food Lion grocery store chain, the team and store gave two families a free shopping spree to gather all the essentials for their holiday meal.
On Dec. 13, Hornets players PJ Washington and Cody Martin went to the Food Lion location in Charlotte to help the residents fill up their carts.
“It means a lot to have Food Lion, and also the Hornets, do stuff like this,” Washington said. “It’s great for the community. (The kids) love being here, I love being here. Giving back to the community is always fun.”
Martin, who was born in North Carolina, discussed how special this opportunity is for families in need.
“That’s a good feeling … to be able to come in and to (shop) for whatever you see,” Martin said. “Whatever you want, you can get.”
Hornets forward Cody Martin helped a Charlotte family fill up their cart earlier this month, as the Hornets partnered with Food Lion to give two families a grocery shopping spree. (Photo credit: Charlotte Hornets)
Betsy Mack Rinke, vice president of corporate social responsibility with the Hornets, said Washington and Martin understood the importance of giving back, noting they had been regularly involved over the years.
“They really understand the meaning behind it and also the value of the partner as well,” Mack Rinke said.
After two years of having to socially distance, this year’s partnership meant even more to the players, she said, noting that they had expressed how pleased they were to be able to interact with people face-to-face.
Meg Ham, president of Food Lion, said the effort was in keeping with the company’s values as part of a press release.
“We believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” Ham said. “That is why we are passionate about partnering with the Charlotte Hornets to help nourish our neighbors this holiday season.”
The Hornets partnered with Food Lion to give two families a grocery shopping spree earlier this month. (Photo credit: Charlotte Hornets)
Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. also got involved with spreading joy in the community this holiday season.
The North Carolina native partnered with The Two-Six Project, a non-profit based in his hometown of Fayetteville, which offers “exposure, resources and opportunity” to young people in the community.
Smith and the organization were able to provide a VIP experience for five families attending the Hornets game against the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 16, including a courtside view of warm-ups, an in-arena suite to watch the game in, and the opportunity to meet their hometown hero.
The Hornets also started a new partnership with Guy Roofing, taking another opportunity to give back to the community this holiday season.
Together, they worked with officials at Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Billingsville Cotswold Elementary School to give a holiday surprise to students in need.
On Dec. 16, students of the elementary school created Christmas ornaments and wish letters for Santa. Unbeknownst to them, volunteers took their lists and bought them a few presents over the weekend for them.
On Monday, it all came together as the students were given a holiday party and surprised with their gifts.
“Watching a child experience the joy and spirit of Christmas is unrivaled. There’s truly nothing like it,” said Jeff Guy, vice president of Guy Roofing, in a release. “As a family-owned business, we know just how important giving back to the community is and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the Hornets on this amazing initiative.”
