KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs and NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Will Shields and his wife, Senia, announced Thursday that they are donating 96,000 meals to a pair of local nonprofits.
Through the Will to Succeed Foundation, Will and Senia are making the donation to Harvesters Community Food Network and the Food Pantry at Jewish Family Services.
“During this difficult and uncertain time, it is gratifying to see people like Will and Senia Shields step forward and provide this wonderful donation,” Harvesters President and CEO Valerie Nicholson-Watson said in a statement. “Now, more than ever, it’s critical families and seniors have access to nutritious food to maintain good health.”
The Shieldses decided to step up to help ease the burden of food insecurity with school out for the foreseeable future and many people enduring economic hardship, including the loss of jobs, due to the global COVID-19 outbreak.
Will to Succeed will provide funding for 60,000 meals through Harvesters and 36,000 through Jewish Family Services, which is a partner organization with Harvesters.
“At times like these it is so important we come together as a team to help keep people fed,” Will said in a statement.
Will and Senia invite others in the community to join them in donating, if possible.
“We’re asking former Kansas City Chiefs players, local businesses and current and former elected officials to join in efforts helping out fellow citizens during these unprecedented times,” Will said.
Current Chiefs players Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes announced donations to Harvesters on social media earlier in the week.
Jewish Family Services has food pantry locations at the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St. in Overland Park, and in Brookside, 425 E. 63rd St. in Kansas City, Missouri.
Harvesters hasan online tool to help those in need find food assistance.
