Press release from the Community Harvest Food Bank:
Jason Fabini FW Native & Former NFL Player Helps Feed Area Hunger
His idea was straightforward enough…he wanted to feed hungry people in his hometown a Thanksgiving dinner. All he needed were a few partners to help make it a reality. So Jason Fabini, retired NFL player, made some calls and quickly made it happen.
First up was Ohio based Cooper Farms. They agreed to donate 225 pre-cooked boneless turkey breasts and also pick up the cost of their delivery to Community Harvest Food Bank. Next up was St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. Fabini approached principal Rob Sordelet to help coordinate a special contribution by their students to Community Harvest Food Bank supplying all the side dishes of a traditional Thanksgiving meal to accompany the turkey roasts. The students collected what was needed and more. Then Fabini asked Community Harvest to help coordinate delivery and identify the appropriate distribution site. CHFB member agency, Miss Virginia’s Mission House was selected and manager Tom Osborn agreed to help.
On the day before Thanksgiving a core of like-minded people and organizations, lead by former NFL great Jason Fabini, distributed 225 turkey dinners to low income families in Fort Wayne. Enough food to provide several more meals for each family after Thanksgiving is over.
“It was a team effort. Both Cooper Farms and St. Charles helped make this happen,” said Jason Fabini. “It feels great to be able to give back to the community.”
Principal Rob Sordelet told the families at St. Charles that a unique opportunity had been put before them to help feed those who hunger. The result was a resounding success. “Really, we are glad to help,” said Sordelet. “We just finished a toy drive for St. Patrick’s ministries last Friday and we are starting on Christmas families for Catholic Charities after Thanksgiving.”
Mission House Manager, Tom Osborn was pleased to be able to serve even more nutritious food to those his organization helps each week. “We distribute food to about 700 people every Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Organizations partnering together to achieve a goal isn’t new in this community. “It just takes one person with the idea, the compassion and the energy to get folks to rally around it and get it done,” said Jane Avery, Community Harvest executive director. “This just gives this community another reason to be proud of Jason Fabini and Community Harvest couldn’t be prouder to have been able to help!”
About Jason Fabini
Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jason Fabini played ten years in the NFL. Eight years with the New York Jets, then the Dallas Cowboys and retired in 2008 after two years with the Washington Redskins.About the Jason Fabini Foundation
The Fabini Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to benefit the youth of Fort Wayne, Indiana and surrounding areas. The Fabini Foundation was founded by Jason Fabini, a former NFL football player, who appreciates the significance people had in his life and is looking to give back. Jason, now retired, is devoted to supporting education, athletics and a strong community.About Cooper Farms
Cooper Farms, located in northwest and west central Ohio, is primarily a turkey farm, which also raises hogs and chickens for table eggs. Owners, Jim, Dianne and Gary Cooper, are proud to still be at the forefront of their parents’ company over 70 years later, striving to be better today than we were yesterday. Cooper Farms is a family-owned and operated company that is well-known for high quality products and people. Cooper Farms is a vertically integrated company, meaning that they control the quality of their products from the farm to the table. They employ over 1,300 team members, from the local communities, and work with 300 local family farms to grow their animals to market weight. Cooper Farms is committed to the communities where we live and work, and is happy to help those who are less fortunate. www.cooperfarms.comAbout St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School enables all children to reach their full potential and future success by using their God given gifts and talents in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. www.stcfw.orgAbout Miss Virginia’s Mission House
Located at 1312 S. Hanna St. in Fort Wayne Mission House distributes food to the hungry every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am.About Community Harvest Food Bank
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the alleviation of hunger through the full use of donated food and other resources. As the largest food bank in northeast Indiana, it collects and distributes over 10 million pounds of donated, surplus food annually through a network of human service member agencies. These agencies offer assistance to hungry people, acting as a safety net to ensure that everyone receives their daily bread with dignity. www.communityharvest.org