Carolina Panthers & Blue Cross NC Work To Improve Food Security In Greater Charlotte Area With Panthers Neighborhood Kitchen Program

Charlotte, NC – The Carolina Panthers and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) are teaming up to deliver meals to underserved areas of Charlotte through the Panthers Neighborhood Kitchen program.

The program will consist of six different meal distributions in some of Charlotte’s highest-need neighborhoods. Each event will distribute 300 individual prepared meals, all of which are chef specialties from three locally-owned, African American catering companies/chefs – Curbeam Cuisines (Chef Jeremy), Jimmy Pearls and Maiya Cooks (Chef Maiya).Meals will be served from a Panthers branded service trailer and will include a Panthers Legend alumni player, who will be available for interviews, and team mascot Sir Purr to provide an additional uplift for meal recipients.

The Panthers are collaborating with community partners The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Charlotte and Charlotte Black Owned for the program.

Events will be closed to the general public, and a limited number of vouchers will be distributed to the various communities. A voucher is required to exchange for a meal.

The kickoff event will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, from 6:00 – 7:30 PM.A brief media advisory will be shared by the Panthers prior to each event with specific event details.

“The Carolina Panthers are grateful for the partnership and support of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Charlotte Black Owned to provide critical meal service to some of our community’s most fragile neighborhoods and families in need,” said Riley Fields, Carolina Panthers Director of Community Relations. “It is our hope that beyond providing a substantial meal, the Panthers Neighborhood Kitchen program will also provide an uplifting experience for children and families.”

“Blue Cross NC is honored to have the opportunity to work with the Panthers to let communities in Charlotte know we’re committed to helping them through this difficult time,” said Reagan Greene Pruitt, vice president of marketing and community engagement at Blue Cross NC. “Improving food security is one of our highest priorities in our mission to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians.”

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 3.8 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

About The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of the Carolinas: The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of North and South Carolina offers programs that promote success for every young person with the vision that all members graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrate good character and citizenship, and live a healthy lifestyle. With more than 40 locations in the Carolinas, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs create an accepting, positive and challenging environment where young people of every background, circumstance, race, creed and religion have a safe place to learn and grow into productive citizens. For more information, visit CarolinaClubs.org.

About Charlotte Black Owned CLT Black Owned (CBO) is Charlotte’s leading platform for the inclusion and support of Black-owned businesses. CBO began in 2020 by a group of millennial friends, originally from Charlotte, who wanted to make a change in the city. CBO provides opportunities for consumers to shop local and Black, while simultaneously providing business owners opportunities to collaborate, grow and develop their brand.

SEE ALSO: Conversations With A Compassion Warrior, Medicaid Program Underway in North Carolina to Help with Food & Shelter

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