Redblacks fans asked to help team tackle hunger

In what will be a hot ticket, fewer than 2,000 seats are left for a Saturday night showdown between Johnny Manziel and the Montreal Alouettes and the Ottawa Redblacks. And the Redblacks are again teaming with Purolator to tackle hunger.

As part of the Purolator Tackle Hunger Program, in support of the Ottawa Food Bank, fans are being asked to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations to TD Place stadium.

Ottawa families are in most need of staples such as canned meat and fish, whole grain pasta and diapers. At the game, fans will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the Grey Cup. Last year, RNation donated more than 46,215 pounds of food, helping hundreds of families.

Offensive lineman Alex Mateas and quarterback Trevor Harris are the Redblacks’ spokesmen for the Tackle Hunger program.

“It’s a great cause,” said Mateas. “We take it for granted. Everybody’s got to eat. We eat three or four meals a day. Some kids get one or two. Food’s an important part of anyone’s success. If you don’t have the right kind of fuel, you don’t have the right kind of energy to put toward school, work or anything.

“Every team I played for, my mom and dad were incredibly supportive and a big part of the team. There were always one or two kids that spent time with us, whether it was sleeping in our hotel room when we were on the road, or maybe it was a sandwich or a burger at McDonald’s. It’s tough to imagine being in their shoes. Sometimes they’re in a family with not much in the way of resources.”

On Saturday, the Redblacks will also be honouring the 1968 and 1969 Grey Cup-winning Rough Riders.