Racing Louisville FC, in conjunction with the Black Women’s Players Collective, is adding to local efforts that positively impact predominantly Black communities facing food insecurities — and the ladies in lavender would like your help.
Players and staff are combining forces with members of Racing’s official supporter groups Thursday in the Parkland neighborhood, with the volunteer effort allowing Dare to Care’s Community Kitchen to operate as a mobile pantry accommodating drive-through distribution.
The rest of Racing’s fan base is encouraged to pitch in all throughout September, coined “Hunger Action Month.” Signups for a number of related Dare to Care volunteer opportunities are available now at volunteer.daretocare.org. Also, any donations made to Dare to Care toward Hunger Action Month will be matched all month by Brown-Forman and other generous sponsors.
“As a Black woman and athlete, I am always looking to give back to our communities,” said Racing forward Jorian Baucom. “Although I was fortunate enough to be provided with food and the necessities for living growing up, I understand the ongoing problem of food scarcity within our communities. I want to continue to be a visible and active partner that will always support, advocate and impact lives in the best way possible.”
Similar to in Louisville, the Black Women’s Players Collective has activated this season across the National Women’s Soccer League to address issues of food insecurity. The nonprofit launched to elevate the image, value and representation of Black players in the league, plus give them a voice to address issues of racial inequality and social injustice.
Crystal Dunn, a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team who also stars for the NWSL’s Portland Thorns FC, helped form the BWPC last year.
“The Black Women’s Players Collective is committed to positively impacting predominantly Black communities that lack resources for food,” Dunn said on behalf of the BWPC. “We seek to elevate these communities by partnering with local food banks and engaging soccer fans in and around our NWSL markets.”
For thousands of our neighbors, a daily meal is a choice between food and other critical needs—such as medicine, utilities, or childcare. There is no luxury of what to eat. The choice is if they eat. Hunger Action Month addresses those concerns as part of an annual, nationwide campaign to inspire action with more information at daretocare.org.
