Advertisement Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Feeding America launch Strike Out Hunger campaign Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. joins social media for first time to advance cause Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Bill Ripken and Cal Ripken Jr. have partnered with Feeding America to launch the Strike Out Hunger campaign in efforts to help kids and families across the country who are dealing with food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic.|| Late-breaking coronavirus updates | Maryland's latest numbers ||The Ripken Foundation and its partners, Ollie's Bargain Outlet and the Kevin Harvick Foundation, have collectively contributed $250,000 toward the Strike Out Hunger campaign. Every dollar donated helps to provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of member food banks."For nearly two decades, our foundation has helped kids across the country through after-school programs and the building of fields to provide safe places to play and learn. However, we have decided to temporarily shift our focus due to the current crisis to address a more urgent need," Cal Ripken Jr. said in a statement. "We are proud to partner with Feeding America and food banks here in Maryland and across the country to make a difference to the underserved kids and families we impact and we are hoping that others will join us."Ripken added that this endeavor has encouraged him to join social media personally for the first time and his Twitter handle, @calripkenjr, launched in support of the campaign on Tuesday morning.Feeding America estimates that $1.4 billion in additional resources will be needed over the next six months to provide enough food for people struggling with hunger. For the 37 million Americans already facing food insecurity, sheltering in place means the very real danger of lost wages, further difficulty accessing enough food and an increased reliance on food banks to fill their plates, Feeding America said in a statement."With the nation in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working tirelessly to meet the increased needs of today while preparing for continued challenges in the weeks and months to come. However, we can't do that alone. We are appreciative of the additional support from the Ripken family, the Ripken Foundation and its partners at such a crucial time in this fight against hunger. Together, we are bigger, better, stronger and more effective than the sum of our parts," Briana Crane, managing director of strategic gifts for Feeding America, said in a statement."In these days of uncertainty, the Kevin Harvick Foundation is honored to be a part of the Ripken Foundation's Strike Out Hunger campaign and do our part to help friends and neighbors who are struggling right now to put food on the table. No kids should ever have to go hungry in our country and together we can make a difference to help them and their families," NASCAR superstar Kevin Harvick, who is also a Ripken Foundation board member, said in a statement.Every gift at any amount is promised to help support those who need it the most. To donate to the Strike Out Hunger fundraising campaign, visit www.ripkenfoundation.org/donate/strikeouthunger.