Annual Saratoga County EOC food drive set for Saturday at race course
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will welcome the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) to Saratoga Race Course during Opening Weekend of the 2019 season to host its annual food drive.
The food drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 at the Community Outreach Booth, located on the Jockey Silks Room Porch.
Fans who donate at least three non-perishable items will receive a free 2018 Saratoga baseball cap, while supplies last, and will be entered to win tickets to the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers and other great prizes.
“Summer can be a hard time for food pantries - EOC included. We see a spike in demand as kids are out of school and unable to take part in free or reduced-price lunches while donations slow down,” said Jo Anne Hume, EOC executive director, in a news release. “NYRA’s food drive comes at the perfect time, and we can’t thank them enough. All of the donations will help stock the pantry and make sure we can help families in our community throughout the summer.”
NYRA CEO and President Dave O’Rourke added, “We are happy to host the Saratoga County EOC for its annual food drive at Saratoga Race Course. The EOC serves a critical need for individuals throughout Saratoga County, and we encourage our fans to support their mission. We look forward to seeing the generosity of the racing community and our fans during Opening Weekend at Saratoga.”
The Saratoga County EOC is one of 40 non-profit organizations to be featured at the Spa this season through the Community Outreach Booth program, which provides one non-profit organization per day with the opportunity to interact with thousands of racing fans, share information about its work and host fundraising initiatives.
Other participating non-profits this season include thoroughbred aftercare organizations such as the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation; and industry partners such as the Backstretch Employee Service Team and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Local organizations featured include the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, Saratoga Automobile Museum, The Wesley Community and Yaddo Garden Association, amongst others.
A complete list of participating non-profit organizations at this season’s Community Outreach Booth is available online at www. nyra.com/saratoga/visit/community-booth.