Cleveland pro athletes, teams stepping up

Greater Cleveland pro athletes and teams have been offering assistance to charity amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, including Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily, writes Jeff Schudel.

At a time when the novel coronavirus has thrown the country into panic and thrown thousands of people out of work, the Cleveland sports community is reaching out to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank stay stocked.

• Cavaliers’ forward Larry Nance Jr. is donating $50,000 to the GCFB and another $50,000 to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.

• Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife, Emily, are pledging $50,000 to support the Greater Cleveland

Food Bank.

• The Cavaliers on March 18 matched an unspecified donation by Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff to the GCRB and Children’s Hunger Alliance (@CHAOhio).

• The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission on March 13 donated 2,592 pounds of food to the GCRB located on South Waterloo Road in Cleveland.

“Events are shut down for everyone’s health & well-being, but that doesn’t mean we should forget about the needs of others,” @CLESports tweeted. “Stay well, our friends & remember to give where you can.”

• Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

and the Monsters donated 3,300 pounds of perishable food to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank on March 17.

“Grateful to the Food Bank and others for the work they’re doing in these trying times,” a tweet from @Cavs reads. “We hope you’ll support, too.”

• The Indians are working out details of a plan to pitch in and help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a team spokesman said March 19.

Baker and Emily Mayfield made the announcement in a video posted March 19 on Twitter, joining a host of other pro athletes vowing to help their communities during the COVID-19 crisis.

“It’s a point for us that we want to give back,” Mayfield said in the video. “We want to help out in any way we can. And even if you guys can’t help out, you know, $1, $5, $10 goes a long way. Whatever you do, we will match that. So, please help out . ... Anything matters, anything helps. We’re all affected by this.”

The video begins with Emily Mayfield pleading for the citizens in the Cleveland area to support one another.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this COVID-19 crisis,” she said. “This is an unprecedented time for our country and individuals alike, but what makes our country so great is how we come together and rally during a time of crisis.

“Cleveland has always been the underdog, but we’re also known for our hustle and our true grit. So it’s time for us to rally together and show everyone how we can come together for our fellow Clevelanders.”

Here is the link to donate to the fund Mayfield is creating: http://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/MayfieldMatch

The Browns, through their Browns Give Back community outreach, are asking fans to help.

“The Food Bank is in need of volunteers,” @CleFoodBank tweeted March 12. “We must maintain operations to ensure that food continues to reach members of our community. Please reference our news release for more information: call 216-738-2053 for volunteer opportunities.”

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, located at 15500 South Waterloo Road in Cleveland, is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 216738-2265 with any questions about food distribution, donations or volunteering.