), President of Sharks Sports and Entertainment. "With the unprecedented situation we are all facing, we are doing our small part by donating funds and sharing our food supply with those who truly need it. We are honored to work with like-minded partners, SAP and Aramark, to make these donations possible."
According to Second Harvest, residents who are at or on the brink of poverty are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Working families who rely on hourly wages are having their shifts at work and take-home pay cut. Youth who normally rely on free or reduced-rate meals provided through their school system are out of school and facing food insecurity.
"Now, more than ever, it's time for us to band together and take care of one another," said Maxwell Wessel, Chief Innovation Officer and Managing Director of SAP Labs. "Hundreds of thousands of Bay Area residents already rely on food banks to feed their families. Today we're adding uncertainty around employment and reduced school lunch programs. But we can all make a difference together. With enough attention on the situation, we can address food security as a community."
Nonprofits such as Second Harvest rely heavily on volunteers to sort, package, and deliver food. Amid COVID-19 concerns, regulations placed on social distancing, and mandatory shelter-in-place policies, many volunteer groups have canceled shifts - leaving Second Harvest in an unsustainable position. The Sharks, Sharks Foundation, and SAP's donated funds allow the temporary hiring of staff to sort, package, and deliver nutritious foods to those who critically need it.
The food donated to Martha's Kitchen by the Sharks and Aramark was originally brought to SAP Center to accommodate large-scale events scheduled to take place throughout March, including San Jose Sharks and
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