The New York Mets expanded their “Metsgiving” program into November and December to help out families during the upcoming holiday season. On Wednesday, Curtis Granderson welcomed fans that donated non-perishable food for their food drive with a warm smile and a thank you. The donations were able to benefit The River Fund NY.
Curtis Granderson also made donations of his own for the Metsgiving’s food drive with help from FreshDirect. Both Granderson and FreshDirect are committed to ending hunger here on New York City. Granderson explained that here in New York,
“One in five people are food insecure meaning they do not know where their next meal is coming from and 400,000 are kids. Think of the fan base, I’m sure there’s someone who maybe possibly touched by issues like that or just a New York Mets fan. We are trying to tackle those issues here in the New York market, is definitely a great thing around the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Granderson’s efforts to feed Americans in need help aid all five boroughs as well as Long Island and his hometown of Chicago.
Curtis was not only the recipient of MLB’s 2016 Roberto Clemente Award but has been honored for the second time with the Marvin Miller Man of the Year award. This award is given to the players who inspire his fellow teammates through his on-field performances and his contribution to the communities. Granderson and his Grand Kids Foundation are currently in a month-long hunger relief campaign. His goal is to give away one million meals this month in New York City and Chicago. To learn more, donate or participate in this year’s Night of Grand Giving Celebrity Fundraiser Event visit www.grandgiving.org.
If you would like to help contribute to Metsgiving and support New Yorkers all across the city here is how you can participate.
Metsgiving 2016
Tuesday, November 15 – Turkey Giveaway with Grand Giving
The Mets and Curtis Granderson’s Grand Kids Foundation join forces for a turkey giveaway in support of MetsGiving and Granderson’s Grand Giving campaign, a month-long program hosted each November that provides meals in the neediest communities, in partnership with FreshDirect.
Curtis, the recipient of MLB’s 2016 Roberto Clemente Award for his community involvement and philanthropic initiatives, will lead a Mets contingent driven by Uber to distribute 200 turkeys to families in Queens and the Bronx. In addition to turkeys, each recipient will receive ticket vouchers that are redeemable for six Mets tickets to select games in April 2017.
Friday, November 18 – Third Annual Turkey Giveaway
With transportation provided by Uber, Mets employees will distribute more than 500 turkeys to families in need across the five boroughs. Each family will receive six tickets to select games in April 2017.
The Mets also continue the tradition of providing complete Thanksgiving meals to 25 families in Corona and Elmhurst, two of the neighborhoods closest to Citi Field. Mets employees will donate the food and personally deliver the packages to the families’ homes in conjunction with NYPD Community Affairs.
Wednesday, December 7 – Mets Annual Coat Drive
Mets Team Store at Citi Field 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Mets employees will be collecting new and gently used coats for New York Cares to distribute to those in need this winter. Fans donating one coat or more will receive a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a select Mets home game in April 2017 and a discount coupon for the Mets Team Store redeemable December 7-9. For more information, visit mets.com/coatdrive.
Tuesday, December 13 – Kids’ Holiday Party
Foxwoods Club at Citi Field
More than 100 elementary school students from local schools will work on holiday-themed projects and enjoy lunch. The children will receive a special visit from Santa and his elf who will be delivering gifts. Mets players participating in the event will be announced at a later date.
Wednesday, December 14 – Holiday Shopping Spree
Mets players will take 10 underserved kids on a holiday shopping spree at a big-box retailer to select presents for their families. The kids will then be surprised with a gift card to spend on themselves. Players to be announced at a later date.