Cleveland, OH—The Cleveland Indians today announced a donation in partnership with Cleveland Indians partners Meijer and Dunkin’ of over 160,000 meals to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to help support the Northeast Ohio community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current Cleveland Indians players OF JAKE BAUERS, RHP SHANE BIEBER, LHP BRAD HAND and RHP NICK WITTGREN all contributed donations through the Home Plate Project – an initiative between Major League Baseball, country music artist Garth Brooks’ Teammates for Kids Foundation, and Big League Impact, which was founded by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and led by Wainwright and Texas Rangers pitcher Kyle Gibson.

“During these unprecedented times, it’s great to know that we can continue to count on such great partners like the Cleveland Indians along with Meijer and Dunkin’,” said Kristin Warzocha, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Food Bank. “We have seen a dramatic increase in the need over the last few weeks and this donation will help us keep up with the demand and continue to get food out to the thousands of people affected by this crisis. Thank you. We are beyond grateful.”

Tribe fans can get involved with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank during this crisis by donating money or non-perishable goods. More information can be found at www.GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org.

About the Greater Cleveland Food Bank

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is celebrating 40 years of service to the community in 2019. It is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio having provided more than 57 million meals in FY2018 to hungry people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties. Our mission is working together to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day. We do this through both food distribution and SNAP outreach efforts.

About Meijer

Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 245 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer has a fundamental philosophy aimed at strengthening the communities it serves and proudly donates more than 6 percent of its net profit each year to charities throughout the Midwest. With hunger as a corporate philanthropic focus, Meijer partners with hundreds of food banks and pantries through its Simply Give and food rescue programs. Meijer also supports education, disaster relief, and health and wellness initiatives. For additional information on Meijer philanthropy, please visit www.meijercommunity.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

About the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation

The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin' and the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children's hospitals and nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and joyful experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $25 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country. For more information, please visit www.bringjoy.org.

About Teammates for Kids
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019, Teammates For Kids (www.teammatesforkids.com) began with the support of 67 Major League Baseball players who made a pledge to help kids. Since then, more than 4,700 professional athletes from baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, rodeo and racing have joined the TFK team. Since its inception in 1999, the Teammates for Kids Foundation and its network of thousands of professional athletes has distributed funds to charities focusing on children’s health, education, and inner-city outreach, through building Child Life Zones, supporting youth athletic programs, and funding life-saving surgeries.

About Big League Impact
Big League Impact (www.BigLeagueImpact.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help meet basic human needs like food, clean water, medical care and shelter, in an effort to restore dignity and hope to people in the US and around the globe. Started by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright in 2013, Big League Impact works with over 80 MLB players, and has raised more than $4 million for the projects and causes that allow BLI to fulfill its mission.