Chiefs Red Coaters join KC Wolf, cheerleaders to support Second Harvest
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Kansas City Chiefs Red Coaters, KC Wolf and Chiefs Cheerleaders are teaming together to build food care packages for families and seniors at Second Harvest Community Food Bank.
The groups will begin their volunteer session on Wednesday afternoon.
The Red Coaters are a long-standing volunteer ambassador group that has been part of the Chiefs organization since the team's early years.
The organization volunteered almost 5000 hours alone last year. Volunteering is deeply ingrained in the Red Coaters’ culture.
"One of their most prominent volunteerism opportunities happens back in Kansas City at Harvesters, which is a part of the Feeding American Network and a sister food bank to Second Harvest. It was something that really tied in," said Chuck Castellano, Chiefs vice president of Community Outreach and Alumni Affairs. "They came to camp today to check things out, and really started acquiring with us, 'Hey, while we're there, can we do something similar that we do back in Kansas City with Harvesters out here in St. Joe.'"
This is the first time the Red Coaters have volunteered in St. Joseph during Chiefs' training camp. Castellano said they look forward to returning next year and continuing to give back to the community.
"This group is really excited about philanthropy and giving back and volunteering," he said. "They have already kinda embraced this and definitely want to come back again."
The Chiefs have been involved in many efforts to address food insecurity, making it an important part of the organization’s community outreach.
"The Chiefs Kingdom food drive brought in about 341,000 meals last year," Castellano said. "I think it's the extension of how we can help and what can we do for our neighbor."
Mackenzie Bally, Second Harvest marketing manager, said they are excited to have the Red Coaters volunteer at Second Harvest.
"The fact that they're only here for a couple weeks for training camp, and they're willing to step in and help these families get more food is just incredible," she said. "It's a huge dedication from them that we're thrilled to be able to be a part of."
Second Harvest relies heavily on volunteers, especially because it serves 18 counties across northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.
"Groups like this, even if they're able to come once like the Red Coaters, it's a really tremendous help because we would just not be able to do it without the support of community," she said.
Castellano said it is exciting to return to St. Joseph and make an impact in the community.
"I think being able to flip the script a little bit, and go to our neighbors in the community, and help to make that impact as well is a really cool dynamic that I think is gonna continue to manifest and evolved here in these future years," he said.
The last day of Chiefs' training camp is Aug. 20.
