VALLEJO, Calif. — California Maritime Academy men’s water polo knows this is the season to give, which is why head coach Steve Doten and cadet-athletes visited Faith Food Fridays to help this non-profit organization provide Vallejo area neighbors a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
“Director of Athletics and Physical Education Karen Yoder has a vision for Cal Maritime to become great partners with local communities. The campus has a community engagement representative — we worked with women’s basketball cadet-athlete MacKenzie Fink — and the school to organize something with Faith Food Fridays before the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Doten.
Founded in 2011, Faith Food Fridays first assisted an average of 35 families a week each Friday. In the following years, that number grew to over 400 families, which is why the non-profit organization now distributes food boxes — filled with fresh and shelf-stable items — three days each week.
Once the team secured a date and time, men’s water polo cadet-athletes signed up based on availability and respective class schedules.
“This was a positive experience for everyone on the team. They understood why we were there and saw firsthand how their efforts would benefit the community. Everyone worked hard from the moment we arrived until we left creating Thanksgiving meals for as many people as possible. I was impressed with everyone’s work ethic and dedication to giving back to the community,” added Doten.
Throughout the afternoon, cadet-athletes organized boxed dinners, which included traditional Thanksgiving items for local community members to enjoy.
Even though this was the first time that Cal Maritime water polo assisted Faith Food Fridays, Coach Doten is planning to create additional opportunities for men’s and women’s water polo cadets to strengthen the Athletics and Physical Education Department’s connection with the Vallejo community.
“I would like to organize an event like this every semester with the men participating in the fall and the women involved in the spring, during respective seasons. Ultimately, I would like to schedule additional opportunities for both teams to work together as a way of building chemistry within the water polo program.”
Doten also added that, “it felt good to give back and help others in need. I know the cadet-athletes felt the same way, this opportunity was a great way for everyone to enhance their Cal Maritime experience.”
Visit faithfoodfridays.com to discover a myriad of ways an individual can help this Vallejo-based non-profit provide encouragement and basic services of love in action through the distribution of food, groceries, small household items and bibles. Faith Food Friday’s also provides free services such as flu shots, showers, financial literacy and more, as donations allow.
Release courtesy Cal Maritime Athletics Communications
