Community pitching in to feed players
It’s coming together – everything from players arriving from across the nation for the Babe Ruth 16-18 World Series to the local merchants and volunteers working non-stop to make sure things go off without a hitch.
Ten teams from New York, Montana, California, Texas and all points in between will be arriving on site today and Wednesday. The groups will be picked up by church vans from their respective airports and driven to Andalusia, where they will be housed with host families.
After finding homes for the estimated 130 players, the next mission was to determine how to feed them.
Eddie Stacey, World Series chairman, said that’s where local merchants – pardon the pun – stepped up to bat.
“Excellent,” was how Stacey described the community support he’s seen as the World Series chairman in the lead-up to this week’s tournament.
Stacey said the local merchants have been gracious.
“They’ve given nothing but free food, lent money to us and have provided volunteers,” he said. “You name it; they’ve given everything we’ve asked for.”
Stacey said businesses like Little Caesar’s Pizza, Huddle House, Hardees, Church’s Chicken, Beef O’Brady’s, Zaxby’s and Hilltop will make sure the teams are fed.
Gloria Campbell, Hardee’s district manager, said the boys’ welcome bags will be filled with coupons for free bacon, egg and cheese biscuits and “thick burgers.”
“For us, it’s a win-win,” Campbell said. “It’s people inside...READ MORE>