USC Upstate, Ingles team up for Soccer United Against Hunger
6/15/2020 2:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer, General
Food Drive to benefit Second Harvest of Metrolina in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg, S.C. - Coaches and players from USC Upstate women's and men's soccer program are joining forces with the greater collegiate soccer community across the country for Soccer United Against Hunger, a nationwide food drive spearheaded by NCAA men's and women's soccer coaches. USC Upstate and Ingles will partner for this food drive to benefit Second Harvest of Metrolina in Spartanburg County from June 17 – 30.Â
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the American economy, food banks and pantries across the country have seen soaring need. Over 40 million Americans have applied for unemployment assistance over the last 60 days, while simultaneously food banks have seen a steep drop-off in cash and food donations. Soccer United Against Hunger, powered by United Soccer Coaches, is taking place across the nation throughout the month of June to support the important efforts of local food banks and food pantries.Â
Ingles Markets, the official grocery store of USC Upstate athletics, will serve as the collection point for food drive donations at 10 Spartanburg area locations. Bins are located inside stores as you enter the checkout area. The complete list is noted below.Â
Second Harvest is in the greatest need of the following items: canned goods (meats, entrees, vegetables and fruit), peanut butter, pastas, rice, dried beans, ready to eat meals, and boxed meals. All items must be within product expiration date.Â
Among the Spartans soccer student-athletes with local ties leading the charge against hunger are:
From the women's program: Â
Jacqueline Marshall (Sr., Greer, SC/Riverside)Â
Madison Pollard (Jr., Spartanburg, SC/Spartanburg)Â
Jada Pereira (So., Greer, SC/Riverside)Â
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From the men's program:Â Â
Hayden Anderson (So., Simpsonville, SC/Woodmont)Â
Paul Bobai (So., Zaria, Nigeria/USC Lancaster/Mauldin)Â
"I am so incredibly proud of our team's display of unity and leadership despite the uncertainty and individual hardships they are each facing. Not one student-athlete hesitated in their willingness to help their community when presented the options on how to participate in Soccer United Against Hunger," said USC Upstate women's soccer assistant coach Liz Manner. "From this experience, I hope they learn to keep kindness in their hearts and that no act of compassion is insubstantial as they continue to grow and develop into servant leaders who support, advocate, and fight to make a difference in the world."
"Ingles is very proud of our partnership with USC Upstate. Its partnerships like this we feel are vital to success when it comes to helping our neighbors in need. As a longtime partner of Second Harvest of Metrolina in Spartanburg, Ingles is so excited to work side by side with two great local organizations dedicated to improving the lives of our Upstate community members" said Melissa Leavell, Director of Advertising, Ingles Markets.
In addition, other members of the women's soccer program are hosting food drives in their hometowns including Natalie Loyd (So., Raleigh, NC) and Logan Pace (Jr., Belmont, NC). All other women's soccer members are hosting virtual drives. Â
Participating Ingles locations (June 17-30)Â
2795 E. Main St., SpartanburgÂ
8650 Asheville Highway, SpartanburgÂ
2000 S. Pine St., SpartanburgÂ
2375 Chesnee Highway, SpartanburgÂ
8004 Warren H. Abernathy Highway, SpartanburgÂ
4600 Highway 9, InmanÂ
2120 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling SpringsÂ
2120 E. Main St., DuncanÂ
1851 Highway 14E (at I-26), LandrumÂ
1524 Locust Hill Rd., GreerÂ
About Soccer United Against HungerÂ
Soccer United Against Hunger was established to help with the food shortage problems that have been created by the COVID-19 pandemic at food banks and pantries. Visit SoccerUnitedAgainstHunger.com for more information and tips on how to get involved. The site includes a checklist of easy to follow steps for coaches and players to get their food drives started.Â
About United Soccer CoachesÂ
Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., United Soccer Coaches is the trusted and unifying voice, advocate and partner for coaches at all levels of the game. The largest community for soccer coaches in the world, we unite coaches of all levels around the love of the game and we elevate the game through advocacy, education and service. To learn more visit UnitedSoccerCoaches.org.
About Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
As part of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina serves 24 counties in North and South Carolina. In FY2018-2019, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distributed over 60 million pounds of food and household items to over 800 hunger feeding agencies including emergency pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters and low-income daycares. Follow the Food Bank on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHmetrolina/ ; Twitter: https://twitter.com/shmetrolina; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shmetrolina / ; Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/35597092/admin/ ; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRIJ-GBT19ucTx9hEuwPzg
About Ingles Markets
Ingles Markets is a leading supermarket chain operating in six Southeastern States. With 197 stores in operation, Ingles is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina. The company's Class A stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market's Global Market, under the symbol IMKTA. For more information, visit the Ingles website at www.ingles-markets.com.
