Minor League Baseball and Nationwide team up to raise funds to fight hunger

An unprecedented number of Americans remain dependent on food banks and emergency food aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Feeding America®, school closures, increasing unemployment numbers and rising poverty due to quarantine and extended stay-at-home orders have disproportionately impacted people already at risk of hunger. These factors could result in an estimated additional 17.1 million people experiencing food insecurity in the next six months.

To help Feeding America in its fight against hunger, Minor League Baseball™ recently launched MiLB CommUNITY First. This national initiative is raising funds for local food banks and honoring individuals risking their lives on the front lines of the pandemic.

Nationwide, the “Official Insurance Partner of Minor League Baseball,” is lending its support to the MiLB CommUNITY First campaign. As part of #GivingTuesdayNow on May 5, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world, Nationwide has pledged to match fan donations dollar-for-dollar (up to $5,000).

Nationwide has been a national partner of Feeding America since 2009. Nationwide associates often take time during their workdays to support hunger-relief efforts as part of their team-building opportunities. Since 2000, Nationwide associates have raised funds equaling more than 47 million meals for Feeding America food banks.

Fans can visit MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst through May 31 to donate and select the MiLB community they want to support. For every $10 donated, the MiLB team in the selected community will donate one ticket to a home game this season or in 2021 to a local hero of the pandemic. Fans can also use #MiLBCommUNITYFirst on social media to show their support.