Big Train Collects $1,172.11 for Manna Food Center in Annual National Hot Dog Day Fundraiser

Again this summer, Big Train baseball in partnership with Catalyst Hot Dogs and Roseda Beef held a National Hot Dog Day fundraiser to support the Manna Food Center. Big Train fans made donations and pledges totaling $1,172.11 at Wednesday’s final regular season game at Shirley Povich Field on July 17.

“It’s always a blast to be able to grill some dogs and raise money for the Manna Food Center,” said Chris Van Jura who initiated Big Train’s National Hot Dog Day tradition of raising money for Manna. “We’re so grateful for our partnership and all that they do!”

Big Train founder Bruce Adams praised Chris Van Jura for the generous support Catalyst Hot Dogs has provided the Manna Food Center. “Manna is an absolutely vital part of our community effort to support our neighbors in need. We have been pleased to showcase and support Manna’s good work to Big Train fans for many years through food drives and our Community Heroes program.” Ripken League players collected 3,183 pounds of food for Manna on June 22, and Big Train players and fans volunteered at Manna’s Gaithersburg warehouse during our Roberto Clemente Community Service Day on July 13.

According to Adams, “Manna particularly appreciates our help in the summer months when few people are collecting food. Most food drives come in the winter months around the holidays and Martin Luther King Day, but people are hungry all year round.” In 2021, Manna honored Adams with a Heroes Against Hunger Award for the 30 tons of food collected in the Ripken League’s annual Feed the Hungry Challenge from 2010 to 2019.

Launched in 1983, the Manna Food Center now serves 50,000 people each year as it seeks to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy. Big Train fans who weren’t able to donate or pledge at Wednesday night’s game can go here to donate or volunteer.