Boston College Student Athletes Pack 3,000 Meal Bags for Catholic Charities Thanksgiving Distribution

The chilly November air this week was no match for Boston College student athletes, who gathered with their fellow teammates outside Alumni Stadium throughout the day on Monday to help stock meal bags that will be distributed in Catholic Charities Boston’s annual Thanksgiving Meal Distribution. Working in shifts from 7:30 a.m. to sundown, the student athletes, along with a team of administrative staff, collectively packed 3,000 bags that will be transported to Catholic Charities’ sites and distributed to those in need over the course of the weekend.

Kenny Francis, Assistant Athletic Director at Boston College, said he is always grateful for the opportunity to bring the student athletes together, providing them with a meaningful goal to work towards.

“What we are doing here is highlighting the importance of a fundamental right, which is the right to food. Hunger relief is an incredibly important duty we have in our community,” said Kenny. “Bringing our teams together unites them in a common cause. For a lot of people, food is where we congregate and find fellowship, where we build family and teams. Not only does supporting Catholic Charities help them come together as a team, but it also reaffirms the importance of family, and fellowship, and looking out for your fellow man and woman. That’s what Boston College is all about.”

According to a U.S. Census Bureau study conducted in September 2023, roughly 18.8% of all households in Massachusetts are experiencing food insecurity, a challenge that has only been exacerbated by the high cost of living and statewide housing crisis. With the holidays around the corner, Catholic Charities Boston is committed to providing those in need not only with food assistance but also with the critical resources and support system necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

“Participating in this initiative is a great opportunity to give back to those who may not have the same opportunities and access as we’ve been given,” said Cameron Harlock, Captain of the Boston College Men’s Golf team. “It’s important to use the platform we have here to show gratitude, and even doing something as seemingly small as packing bags can mean a lot in the long run.”

Angel Lynn, Captain of the Women’s Golf team, echoed Cameron’s sentiment and said volunteering brings her and her teammates closer together.

“It is a big privilege to be a part of something like this, to be able to be on a team and at a college. Any way I can give back with my team is meaningful and rewarding for everyone,” she said. “Today, we started a bit slow but then within a short period of time everyone got in their groove and people figured out what roles worked best for them and how to work efficently together; it shows just how far teamwork can go, even beyond sport.”

To learn more about how you can support Catholic Charities Boston’s clients in need, click here.