The Carolina Hurricanes, together with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) and US Foods, distributed Thanksgiving meal kits to over 2,000 families in need throughout the Triangle area on November 25. The initiative aimed to help local families enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal.
Meal kits were provided through several local organizations, including the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Helping Hand Mission, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Raleigh Rescue Mission, Urban Ministries of Wake County, The Raleigh Dream Center, and Table NC. Each kit contained a turkey breast or ham, four large potatoes, apples and oranges, and a pie.
This event marked the fifteenth year that the Hurricanes have partnered with local hunger relief groups for Thanksgiving efforts. These collaborations have resulted in thousands of donated meals to nonprofits serving families during the holidays.
“We are thankful for our partnering organizations and glad we can work together to help make the holiday a little brighter for families across our community who may be facing a tough time,” said Hurricanes Holdings CEO Brian Fork.
The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation and Blue Cross NC contributed support to this year’s meal packages. US Foods provided bulk food items and other assistance necessary for large-scale distribution.
“At US Foods, we’re committed to nourishing our communities,” said Travis Bailey, Area President of US Foods in Raleigh. “We’re proud to stand alongside the Hurricanes and Blue Cross NC in helping provide thousands of families with the ingredients for a meaningful Thanksgiving meal.”
Earlier in November, the Hurricanes also organized a food drive where fans donated non-perishable items. These donations went to several local organizations supporting hunger relief. On November 9, defenseman Jaccob Slavin and his family held an additional food drive that supplied The Raleigh Dream Center with enough food for 8,400 meals.
Funds raised from the team’s Tickets for Turkeys campaign helped finance this year’s Thanksgiving program by directing proceeds from certain home game ticket sales toward purchasing meal kits.
