South Bend Cubs Offering Free Tickets for Holiday Donations

SOUTH BEND, IN - Help make a difference for a family in need this holiday season and make a donation to the South Bend Cubs Holiday Food and Toy Drive. Like last year, the Cubs have teamed up with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana to accept non-perishable food items (canned or bag). New for this year, all new, unopened toys will be donated to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

Beginning November 15 and running through December 16, food and toy donations will be accepted at the Cubs Den Team Store. For every non-perishable food item (canned or bag) or new, unopened toy donated, you will receive one ticket voucher that can be exchanged for a field box ticket to a 2025 South Bend Cubs game on April 9, April 22, or April 23.

On Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Cubs will also host a special meet and greet at the Cubs Den as the food and toy drive comes to a close. Fans can meet South Bend Cubs mascots Stu and Ivy along with a special appearance by the local United States Marines.

“Last year, our food and toy drive was a huge success for our local families in need,” said South Bend Cubs Assistant General Manager for Marketing and Media Chris Hagstrom-Jones. “Over 600 pounds of food and 100 toys were donated in 2023. This year, as we team up with our local Marines, we hope to continue to grow this program and surpass last year’s donation.

“The need for food assistance remains high for many neighbors in the communities we serve,” said Marijo Martinec, executive director and CEO, Food Bank of Northern Indiana. She added, “So much about the holiday season is centered around family and food. Our network of partner agencies in our six-county service area have seen an 11% increase in the need for food assistance and a 17% increase in St. Joseph County. These food donations help many who continue to struggle.”

“This holiday season let’s make a difference in the lives of children in need. Join us and the South Bend Cubs in making this Christmas special by spreading joy of giving to brighten a child’s holiday season,” said Corporal Drazen Obradovic 2024 United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Coordinator. “Finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience every child deserves.”

Vouchers will be given at time of donation at the Cubs Den Team Store. Those vouchers can be exchanged once single game tickets become available in March. The Cubs Den Team Store is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

All food collected will be donated to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and all toys collected will be donated to the St. Joseph County Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. For food donations, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana accepts non-perishable food donations. For a list of items in need and items that cannot be accepted, click here. For the toy drive, Toys for Tots will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys, books, games, and stocking stuffers.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Over the past 35 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2022, and captured nine division titles. In 2023, the organization was selected as the Single-A Bob Freitas Award recipient by Baseball America. Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best High-A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest in 2022 and 2023, having also won the award as a Low-A ballpark in 2017. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the final Midwest League All-Star Game. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest's Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President's Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.

About the Food Bank of Northern Indiana

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana actively partners with local and national manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, food growers, packers and brokers to procure food. In 2021, the Food Bank distributed 10.4 million pounds of food to its network of 125 member agencies in its six-county service area. Today, 12.4% of the residents of northern Indiana are food insecure including 17.5% children. They don't know when they will eat their next meal. Hunger is a silent epidemic. When all of our residents have food security and access to nutritious foods, we will be even better physically and mentally prepared to take on life’s challenges.

About the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program

Toys for Tots, a 77-year National charitable Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to children in need across the Nation through the gift of new toy or book. The impact of these toys and books offers children in need recognition, confidence, and positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Since 1947, the Program has evolved and grown exponentially having delivered hope and magic of Christmas to over 301 million economically disadvantaged children. Because the need isn’t just at Christmas, the Toys for Tots Program also provides support throughout the year to families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus fulfilling the hopes and dreams of millions of children in need beyond the holidays. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Detachment of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit https://south-bend-in.toysfortots.org/