Ducks practice facility converted to food storage facility

The Anaheim Ducks' practice facility, Great Park Ice in Irvine, California, has been converted to a temporary food storage facility for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

Load-in for 120 pallets of food and water began Thursday. Approximately six truckloads of supplies will initially arrive at Great Park Ice and be prepared for staging, with additional deliveries scheduled to arrive next week.

In accordance with the order issued from the Orange County health officer, Great Park Ice has remained closed since March 18 and won't reopen until deemed safe by health officials. The closure came six days after the NHL paused its season due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

"Irvine Ice Foundation is proud to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County as we continue to navigate through this pandemic," said Art Trottier, vice president of The Rinks, the Ducks' group of nine facilities that include Great Park Ice. "There are many layers to the food bank's distribution operation, and this was one clear way we could support Second Harvest during this unprecedented time."

Second Harvest Food Bank has been at the forefront of the pandemic by serving Orange County families that have been most economically impacted by COVID-19 in a drive-thru food distribution event at Honda Center. Since March 21, Second Harvest has distributed food to more than 21,000 cars and households on Saturdays at Honda Center.

"Great Park Ice is a tremendous community partner, and we are so pleased to be working together to serve those in need in Orange County," Second Harvest chief operating officer Jerry Creekpaum said. "We are very fortunate to use this facility as a staging area with it being only five minutes from Second Harvest's distribution center."