Imagine if 20 of the 55 players on the Ponies Football Sophomore team did not have the fuel their bodies needed each day. That is the reality facing nearly 40% of the clients supported by food donations from Valley Outreach: clients who are children under the age of 18. 

This year’s Annual Sophomore Food Drive with Valley Outreach hit hunger hard. “The big donation through the Pony Touchdown Club sophomore food drive every year is tremendously important,” Tracy Maki, Executive Director of Valley Outreach said after the team dropped off their winning collection. “We rely on food drives to keep our shelves filled.” 

As part of the team’s commitment to community service, players filled 12 cars with everything from dry goods to cash donations on Saturday, October 7, which they delivered Tuesday, with help from Ponies Touchdown Club Vice President Deb (and Matt) Simcik’s little black trailer.  The Simcik’s took the lead on organizing this year’s event.

“Our Sophomore team has been participating in the food drive since 2006,” Head Coach Beau LaBore said. “Their efforts highlight the Ponies football program’s mission to help players develop as athletes, good young men, and the belief that ‘giving is receiving’.” 

In all, the sophomore team collected 2,613 pounds of food which will result in 2,010 meals for those who use the services Valley Outreach provides. 

“What I love about this drive with the sophomore team is the connection with athletes and their focus on good nutrition,” Maki said. “They understand the need for the “right” fuel. Not having enough to eat, or having nutritious choices is directly linked to preventable conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. With a well-stocked food shelf, families can get what they want and need.”

The Ponies Football program has contributed more than 1,500 community service hours each of the seven years Coach LaBore has been head football coach as part of its mission to help players become better citizens and team players. “Helping gather food for families in the St. Croix Valley is a nice springboard for sophomores as they transition to varsity football, in which we ask players to serve more hours in many capacities,” LaBore said of the food drive.

Valley Outreach services an average of 600 households monthly and anyone in need of food is welcome to visit their food shelf. More information about Valley Outreach Food and Fund Drives can be found online, click: Valley Outreach.