The Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Southwest Florida, has teamed up with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the single-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, to Strike Out Hunger Saturday, Sept. 9. Half of all ticket sales for the 6 p.m. game will be donated to Harry Chapin Food Bank.

The Mussels are hosting the Bradenton Marauders at Hammond Stadium for the Saturday game. On Sunday, the two teams will then close out the regular season with a noon start.

“We can’t think of a better way to kick off Hunger Action Month than partnering with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels to strike out hunger in Southwest Florida,” said Richard LeBer, the president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Partnerships like this are essential toward fulfilling our mission, and we’re grateful for the support of the Mighty Mussels.”

Each ticket purchased at fevo.me/hunger to the Sept. 9 game will provide 15 meals for families who are hungry. Tickets are $10 with $5 from every ticket sale being donated to Harry Chapin Food Bank.

At the game, Harry Chapin Food Bank will also launch a “40 Food Drives for 40 Years” campaign with a peanut butter and jelly drive. Fans who bring a donation of peanut butter and/or jelly to Hammond Stadium will be entered into a raffle for a variety of exciting prizes, courtesy of Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Mighty Mussels.

Harry Chapin Food Bank is celebrating its 40th anniversary, kicking off the year-long celebration in September as part of Hunger Action Month.

For four decades, Harry Chapin Food Bank has worked tirelessly to lead Southwest Florida in the fight to end hunger. Founded in 1983 as the Lee County Food Cooperative, the food bank quickly expanded its footprint to serve the larger Southwest Florida community. The food bank, then known as the Southwest Florida Food Bank, became a member of the Feeding America network in 1990, before changing its name to Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida in 1994. It remains the only Feeding America food bank in Southwest Florida.

Harry Chapin Food Bank feeds more than 250,000 people each month through a variety of food distribution programs, including programs that support children, families and seniors.

“Over the past 40 years, Harry Chapin Food Bank has led Southwest Florida in the fight to end hunger in our community,” said LeBer. “We remain committed to ensuring no one in our region goes hungry. We are grateful for our staff, volunteers, donors, community partners and the entire Southwest Florida community for their support of Harry Chapin Food Bank over the past four decades.”

Community members interested in hosting a food drive in honor of the 40th anniversary can contact Lori Harrington, the volunteer manager, at lharrington@hcfb.org.