Colts Players Tackle Food Insecurity with Feeding America Initiative

Colts players Tyler Warren and Josh Downs have taken significant steps to combat food insecurity this holiday season by teaming up with Feeding America and FedEx. They recently joined FedEx team members at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, where they helped pack and assemble meals for families in need.

This food bank is a crucial resource, distributing over 56 million pounds of food annually across 21 counties in Indiana. According to Joshua Sovell, senior manager of corporate partnerships with Feeding America, community involvement is essential for addressing food insecurity.

He stated that Feeding America cannot operate alone and relies on the support from companies like FedEx and generous individuals. Notably, there are nearly 100,000 food insecure children in the areas served by Feeding America.

On the day of the event, over 5,700 meals were prepared for families, showcasing the power of community collaboration. Tyler Warren, a rookie in his first NFL season, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to give back, emphasizing that participating in such initiatives is the right thing to do.

He highlighted the warm reception he has received from the Indianapolis community. Warren praised the Colts organization under the Irsay family, particularly Carlie Irsay-Gordon and Kalen Jackson, for their commitment to community outreach.

Both Warren and Downs noted that Irsay-Gordon ensures that each position group on the team engages in volunteer work every season. Their partnership with FedEx also includes a significant commitment to address food insecurity across the country, with FedEx donating $2,000 each week to local food banks in the hometowns of NFL award winners.

Additionally, FedEx will contribute $20,000 to the winners of the FedEx Air and Ground NFL Award program at the end of the season. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been a four-time recipient of the FedEx Ground Player of the Week this season, is leading the NFL with 1,139 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.

Warren praised the offensive line for their role in Taylor's success. As the Colts continue their strong performance with an 8-2 record, the efforts of players like Warren and Downs highlight the team's dedication to making a positive impact beyond the football field.

Josh Downs remarked on the incredible support from the community, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in feeding the Indianapolis area.