Tackling Hunger: Whitmer Panthers' Touchdown for Thanksgiving

Nov 14, 2024 at 4:36 AM
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, two high school football players from Whitmer Panthers are stepping up to the plate to ensure that families in need have a bountiful Thanksgiving feast. Carter Lowe and Isaiah Holmes have teamed up with Hindsight Pizza Kitchen to organize a fundraiser that will provide turkeys, hams, and other essential items for those struggling to put food on the table this holiday season.

Empowering the Community, One Slice at a Time

Giving Back: A Lifelong Passion

Growing up in the church, giving back to the community has always been a core value for Carter Lowe. Now, as an offensive tackle for the Whitmer Panthers and a future Buckeye at The Ohio State University, Lowe is using his platform to make a tangible difference in the lives of those around him. "Just having a loving heart and the ability to give back is really an honor," he reflects, underscoring the importance of using one's resources to uplift others.

A Collaborative Effort

Lowe's teammate, Isaiah Holmes, shares his passion for community service. Together, the two players approached the owner of Hindsight Pizza Kitchen, Chris Hinds, with a proposal to host a fundraiser. "They came to me and it first started off with, 'Hey, can you donate any food?' And then I was like, 'Well, I can do better. Let's have a fundraiser to raise even more money to buy groceries,'" Hinds recounts, eager to lend his support to the cause.

Feeding Families in Need

The fundraiser at Hindsight Pizza Kitchen will allocate 20% of all purchases towards the purchase of turkeys, hams, and other essential items for families in need this Thanksgiving. "All of the purchases, where 20% is getting donated to us so that we can help to buy turkeys and hams and, you know, other necessities for families," explains Holmes, underscoring the tangible impact that the community's support can have.

Expanding the Reach

Last year, Lowe organized a food box giveaway, but this year, he wanted to take it a step further. By partnering with Hindsight Pizza Kitchen and enlisting the help of his teammate, Lowe is poised to make an even greater difference. On November 17th, the duo will be collecting food donations at the Frederick Douglass Community Center, and a week later, they'll be handing out boxes of food to those in need, ensuring that no family is left behind this Thanksgiving.

A Panther's Pride

For Hinds, the opportunity to support Lowe and Holmes' initiative hits close to home. As a Whitmer Panther himself, graduating in 2009, he feels a deep connection to the school and its community. "It's an awesome deed. I'm a Whitmer Panther myself. I graduated in '09, so thought it was fitting to help them give back to the community," he says, underscoring the power of community ties and the ripple effect of kindness.

A Touchdown for Thanksgiving

Through their unwavering commitment to making a difference, Lowe and Holmes are proving that true leadership extends far beyond the football field. By leveraging their platform and rallying the support of local businesses, they are ensuring that families in need can enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving feast, a testament to the transformative power of compassion and community.