WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioYSU football and First Place Bank Spread the Red to Feed Hungry Families

YSU football and First Place Bank Spread the Red to Feed Hungry Families

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A sobering statistic recently reported by local media has brought two organizations together to help make a difference for those in need in the Mahoning Valley. 

According to a report out by the Columbus Dispatch,  Youngstown ranks third worst in the nation for hungry families.

Youngstown State University football and First Place Bank have had a long tradition and partnership over the years and have both used their corporate color of red as a sense of pride.  Together these two organizations will use this partnership to help Valley families who are struggling to keep food on the table.

On Tuesday, Youngstown State University head football Coach Eric Wolford and First Place Bank CEO, Steve Lewis will announced the Spread The Red to Feed Hungry Families campaign.  The Spread the Red campaign is designed to leverage several community events and raise funds for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

"We are going through some very unique times in this country and this Valley.  We must all pull together as one team to achieve positive change in our community", said YSU Coach Eric Wolford. 

"The YSU football program is proud to partner with First Place Bank to support the Second Harvest Food Bank and their daily mission of supporting families in our area.  We encourage the entire Valley to Spread the Red and feed hungry families.  Like winning football games, this initiative will be won with everyone contributing," Coach Wolford said.

"We are honored to be able to partner with Coach Wolford and the YSU football family to fight hunger in the Valley", added Steve Lewis, CEO of First Place Bank.  "At the heart of our mission as a local community bank is our desire to be able to respond quickly to situations just like this.  Once we became aware of the incredible need in our community we were able to come together very quickly in order to launch this effort.  Together we can ensure that the Mahoning Valley is no longer a part of this statistic,", Lewis said

While several initiatives have been scheduled over the next several weeks, additional efforts are in the development stage and will be announced throughout the campaign.  The Spread the Red To Feed Hungry Families will officially kick-off at the Canfield Fair on Thursday September 1st and upcoming events include:

Thursday September 1st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Canfield Fair

First Place Bank employees will be on hand at the First Place Bank booth as well as the YSU tent and will be handing out YSU football ticket vouchers to the September 10th game to anyone wearing red. 

Saturday September 10 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the YSU vs. Valparaiso game

First Place Bank will be located in the tailgate lot from noon to 4:00 p.m.  Everyone who visits the booth and is wearing red will receive a First Place Bank grocery tote as well as voucher for the September 17^th game vs. Illinois State.  In addition First Place Bank will make a $1.00 donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank for each individual wearing red.

First Place Bank and YSU staff members will also be as the entrance gates collecting donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

September 17-24 Spread the Red Food Drive

First Place Bank is hoping that individuals will use their grocery tote the first time to shop for items that they can drop off at any First Place Bank branch the week of September 19-24 or at the YSU vs. Illinois State game on Saturday September 17.

Entire YSU Football Season - YSU Red Zone Sponsorship

First Place Bank will donate a $150 to the Second Harvest Food Bank every time YSU gets into the "red zone" at Stambaugh Stadium.

Additional events and Spread the Red efforts will continued to be announced over the next several weeks.