For the third year, the Orioles will host Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Helping Hands, a volunteer meal-packaging program, for a special fundraiser and meal-packaging event at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday, September 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. After a successful fundraiser in 2017, which surpassed the initial goal of 25,000 meals, the Orioles and CRS will continue their partnership in the fight against hunger by increasing this year's goal to 75,000 meals in recognition of the 75th anniversary of CRS. The 75,000 Meal Challenge will help to send 75,000 meals to vulnerable people in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
 
Through the 75,000 Meal Challenge fundraising program, for every 50 cents raised, CRS Helping Hands will provide one meal to our global neighbors in need and fund projects that help families support themselves. Fundraising teams that raise $500 (to fund at least 1,000 meals) will receive 10 tickets to the Orioles game against the Houston Astros on September 29 at 7:05 p.m. Participating fundraising teams can earn two additional tickets to the game for every additional $100 raised. The first 400 people to register as event volunteers and supporters will be able to join the meal-packaging event at Oriole Park. The meal-packaging event will feature appearances by The Oriole Bird, as well as Orioles Alumni. 
The Orioles are committed to fighting hunger locally, nationally, and internationally on a year-round basis. Each year, the Orioles host the annual OriolesREACH Food & Funds Drive at Oriole Park, scheduled for August 24-26 in 2018, in addition to hosting food collections in the club's year-round southern home in Sarasota, Fla. By partnering with Catholic Relief Services Helping Hands, the Orioles hope to provide hunger-relief and bring awareness to the issue of hunger on an international level.
"Helping Hands gives people the opportunity not just to understand the problem of hunger and malnutrition around the world but to do something about it," said SEAN CALLAHAN, President and CEO of CRS, the official overseas humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. "Our partnership with the Orioles is one of the reasons we are so pleased that Baltimore is our world headquarters."
Footage from the 2017 CRS Helping Hands event is available courtesy of Orioles Productions at baltimore.brickftp.com (Media2018 | orioles 2018), and downloadable photos from the 2017 event are available via Photoshelter, courtesy of the Orioles (password: Media2018). 
To register a team or make a donation to the 75,000 Meal Challenge or to learn more about the Orioles' partnership with CRS Helping Hands, fans may visit www.orioles.com/CRS.