Two Teams: One People!

They may not have won the Kraft Hunger Bowl (Saturday, January 8th, 2011), but Boston College Football Team sure did win the hearts of St. Anthony Foundation guests and staff! 100 + Team members and staff poured into our doors to help serve food to hungry people. Kraft sponsors this post season game, helping to draw attention to the very serious and very real issue of hunger in our country, and to do something about it! Kraft “teamed up” with St. Anthony’s and other social services programs … sending the opposing teams – Boston College Eagles and University of Nevada Wolfpack to volunteer the day before they faced off with each other in the actual game.

Yes, the BC Eagles poured in early Saturday morning: “Little guys in front!” one of the coaching staff called out as they gathered for a photo. “Little guys?” Not!! Big & Bigger, with hearts to match! After an abbreviated orientation given to prepare the team to serve our guests with dignity and respect…the BC players donned our burgundy aprons (looking more like bibs on most of them!!!) and got to work. Coming down the ramp entrance of 45 Jones into the Dining Room—greeted this time not by a stadium of fans but by the community of our Tenderloin brothers and sisters who dine at St. Anthony’s. Like I said, they won our hearts– these gentle giants who served our guests with grace and joy! There were so many wonderful moments, but one of my favorites was when I heard the recognizable and hearty blues of one of our talented diner musicians sailing into the Dining Room from the lobby piano… I went out to look and what do I see but one of the jerseyed players pounding out the soulful jam from the keys with our guest clapping along beside! Back and forth they took turns jammin’…as smiles spread and dancing feet of guests filing in for lunch, kept time…

Two teams: one People, hungry for food, hungry for justice. No spectator sport, this cause: this “Bowl” needs and welcomes all to the table. Our appreciation to Kraft and the teams for fielding the message so beautifully!