Media Contact:

Ally Dorrough • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • GulfShores.com/Sports/Media-Room
1-800-745-SAND • 251-968-9327 (direct) • 251-752-7745 (cell)

NAIA will partner with Feeding the Gulf Coast’s backpack program during track championships

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Locals are encouraged to partner with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Champions of Character program as student-athletes donate and collect food items during the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. Teams will accept and sort donations Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at the Gulf Shores Welcome Center (3459 Gulf Shores Parkway) from 9-10:30 a.m.

“These student-athletes exude the NAIA’s Champions of Character mission to demonstrate the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership,” said Beth Gendler, vice president of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. “We hope the community rallies alongside the NAIA to help fight hunger in our beach communities.”

Through Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Backpack Program, the donated food items will be distributed to local children whom teachers and counselors have identified as struggling with chronic hunger and in need of food to get through a weekend. These food items are discretely placed in students’ backpacks, with each student getting enough food for six meals and two snacks. Requested items include pop-top meals such as beef ravioli and soups; single-serve microwaveable macaroni and cheese; snack items such as pudding cups, applesauce and fruit snacks; and breakfast items such as single-serve instant grits and granola bars.

Area residents can also support the NAIA student-athletes here for the championships by attending the various competitions being held May 24-26 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex (19025 Oak Road). Day passes are $8 and weekend passes are $20.

To learn more about donating to the backpack program, contact Sarah Cooper at 251-974-4611 or [email protected]. Visit NAIA.org for more on the NAIA or click here to read about the recent Toy Drive! For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit GulfShores.com/Sports, or call 1-800-745-SAND.

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Photo:

Download: https://gsob.co/2InsYVp
Caption: The NAIA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships take place May 24-26, 2018 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission:

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission is a partnership between Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, this commission became a department within GSOBT. In this role, the commission – along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality sporting events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. To learn more about a whole different state of play, please visit GulfShores.com/Sports.