Los Angeles Rams Players and Cheerleaders Volunteer at Hams for Hunger 2018

LA Rams team up with Hormel Hams, Vons, the Inglewood P.D. and the LA Regional Food Bank.

On December 18, 2018, Los Angeles Rams players, cheerleaders, and staff partnered with Hormel Hams, Vons and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to distribute hams for our neighbors in need at Vons in Inglewood. Ethan Westbrooks, Tanzel Smart, Aaron Neary and Brian Allen took photos with fans and did some heavy lifting so that families in our community would have protein in time for the holidays.

“The opportunity to come out here was huge for me. I love participating in stuff like this,” said Neary. “It’s great for the community, and we know without a community that supports the Rams we don’t have anything. So it’s awesome when we get these opportunities to give back.”

“You can see the cranes from here, not far from this neighborhood,” Westbrooks notes, nodding towards the stadium-to-be. “I think it’s definitely dope that people allow us to come into their community and build this lavish stadium. So you gotta come out and show support where you’re at.”

Ethan Westbrooks at Hams for Hunger 2018

Well-balanced holiday meals

The Food Bank invited agency partners and local families to visit Vons to receive hams which were generously donated by Hormel. The Food Bank also provided bags of fresh produce, including carrots and apples, and bread. These items tend to be cost prohibitive for families on a budget, especially around this time of year when kids are out of school and therefore not receiving school meals. “Children need good food to grow and be strong and do well in school,” said Westbrooks. “It’s important to support the community where you are.”

The Hams for Hunger distribution provided 17,000 individual-holiday meals for members of our community who are currently struggling with food insecurity.

Fun for all

In addition to taking photos with players and receiving nutritious food for the holidays, guests at the event also enjoyed face painting and dancing to the music provided by DJ Gene Baca. All of this took place just a short distance from where the new stadium is being built. “We’re out here showing support to them because we want support from them,” said Smart. “Just the opportunity to make someone’s day brighter, any time you can get out and help it’s fun,” Allen added.

“Nutrition is important,” Smart continued. “The kids and families that we’re giving to need the food. 1 in 7 people don’t have what they need and it’s important to eat, especially around the holidays.”