Lugnuts join Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY First Campaign

LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts today announced they are joining MiLB CommUNITY First, a new national initiative developed by Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) in conjunction with Feeding America®, to raise funds for local food banks and to honor individuals risking their lives on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lugnuts fans are encouraged to visit MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst through May 31 to donate. Once on the site, fans choose their donation amount and “Lansing Lugnuts” as the recipient of their donation in order to direct funds to the Greater Lansing Food Bank. For every $10 donated, the Nuts will donate one ticket to a future home game.

“We’re excited to join Minor League Baseball in this nationwide initiative with Feeding America,” said Lugnuts General Manager Tyler Parsons. “We’ve partnered with the Greater Lansing Food Bank on events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities in the past. We’re proud to support their efforts now, with the COVID-19 pandemic creating an even stronger demand for their resources. Our goal with this program is to help raise funds to combat those challenge. We have no doubt that the community will respond with us.”

“This is a very creative way to raise money and awareness for GLFB," said Michell Lantz, CEO at the Greater Lansing Food Bank. "Not only will it help provide meals to those in need but also gives us hope that we can enjoy regular activities, like a Lugnuts game, again soon. We are so encouraged by these acts of generosity from businesses around the community and can’t thank the Lugnuts enough for their support.”

School closures, rising unemployment and rising poverty due to quarantine and extended stay-at-home orders have disproportionately impacted people already at risk of hunger and could result in an estimated additional 17.1 million people experiencing food insecurity in the next six months, according to Feeding America. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 200 affiliates, Feeding America has projected a $1.4 billion shortfall in the next six months alone.

In response, contributions from Lugnuts fans and Minor League Baseball will help ensure families and individuals across the country most impacted by the pandemic are fed and cared for during these uncertain times. Join the national campaign by donating and selecting Lansing Lugnuts at MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst and use #MiLBCommUNITYFirst on social media to show your support.

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About the Lansing Lugnuts
Part of the fabric of the Mid-Michigan community since 1996, the Lansing Lugnuts are the Toronto Blue Jays' Class Single-A affiliate in the Midwest League. The Lugnuts were the first Class A team to break 500,000 in attendance in its inaugural season and the first ever Minor League Baseball team to draw 500,000+ in each of its first two seasons. In 24 total seasons, the Lugnuts have won two Midwest League championships, hosted four Midwest League All-Star Games, and produced 149 Major League Baseball players. Find the Lugnuts online at lansinglugnuts.com.

About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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