Cleveland Kong Teams Up with Greater Cleveland Food Bank to Tackle Local Food Insecurity

The Cleveland Kong volleyball team is making a play off the court, aiming to make a substantial difference in their home city. The Kong announced an exciting partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to tackle food insecurity in the Greater Cleveland area. The initiative comes at a crucial time, with food insecurity rates alarmingly high, particularly among children and senior citizens.

During the 2023 VLA Cup, for every service ace the Kong produces, a $10 contribution will be made to the food bank. To put this into perspective, every $1 donated can help provide three meals to families in need. The Kong encourages fans and the broader community to match their donations at the conclusion of the VLA Cup to amplify the impact. For those interested in learning more about combating food insecurity, information is available at harvestforhunger.com.

Assistant GM for the Kong, Brian Ford, underscored the urgency of the problem, stating, "One in seven people in the food bank’s service area don't know where their next meal is coming from. By establishing this partnership, Kong hopes to one day get that number to zero."

The issue of food insecurity in the Greater Cleveland area is severe. Nearly one in four senior citizens are at risk of hunger. Further exacerbating the issue, Cleveland’s child poverty rate has been consistently among the highest of large U.S. cities. This vulnerability translates into a tangible lack of access to food, leaving many households in a precarious situation.

The partnership demonstrates the Kong's commitment to giving back to their community and leveraging their platform to drive meaningful change. As the team prepares to compete at the 2023 VLA Cup, they carry the hopes of their fans not only for success on the court but also for making a significant impact off it.