Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) today announced it has reached its 15,000th meal delivered to first responders, health care and essential workers to DC-area hospitals and COVID-19 testing sites through the MSE Foundation’s “Feeding the Frontlines” program.
“I am proud of the hard work of our MSE Foundation for leading this effort to support our first responders and health care workers who are fighting to protect our community,” said Monumental Sports Chairman & CEO Ted Leonsis. “Service to our community is a core value for us at Monumental Sports and I am deeply appreciative to our teams, players and staff for their donations and support to deliver meals to these brave heroes and for helping us to reach this tremendous milestone.”
“Feeding the Frontlines” was created by the MSE Foundation, in partnership with the Washington Wizards’ chefs at FLIK, the Washington Capitals’ chefs at SuperFd and a nonprofit within MSE’s Social Impact program, DC Central Kitchen, to produce healthy, fresh meals for community heroes. The daily delivery of meals began in early April and will continue as the forces of the pandemic continue to affect our region.
“At a time of unprecedented uncertainty, our first thought was to find a way to help in our community – and our players, coaches, staff and fans stepped up to give back to those who are working tirelessly to keep our community safe,” said Elizabeth Pace, Executive Director of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. “We are so grateful for all who donated and the feedback we’ve gotten from those we serve has been tremendous!”
“Feeding the Frontlines” began with seed funding from Wizards players and coaches and was fueled by donations from all MSE teams – the Wizards, Capitals, Mystics, Go-Go and Wizards District Gaming – with players, coaches, owners, MSE staff and fans. And through innovative fundraising streams such as an esports showcase game between Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin, a new corporate partner, Fresh Vine Wines, donating proceeds of fan sales, specially branded COVID-related team T-shirts, players’ gear auctions and Wizard’s coach “Brooks’ Looks” hair cut challenge, the fund raised more than $235,000 across the first three months of the program.
These funds underwrote deliveries to nine District hospitals and COVID-19 testing sites, as well as DC Fire & EMS fire stations throughout Washington, D.C. The effort has also helped to support two great small businesses who saw their businesses falter in the wake of activities being suspended – SuperFd and FLIK – as well as a vital nonprofit for the food insecure within the District, DC Central Kitchen.
To learn more, please visit: www.monumentalfoundation.org