Bread for the City & Howard University Athletics

Our work would not be possible without the relentless dedication to service and communities of our athlete network and community partners. Since launching AFH University at Howard University in late 2020, Bread for the City has continuously been an outstanding organization for student-athletes to connect with and give back to the D.C. community. Learn more by reading the below Q&A with Bread for the City Volunteer Engagement Manager, Constance Lee.

Tell us what the student-athletes did while volunteering with Bread for the City.

The Howard University student athletes were amazing groups to work with. In support of Bread for the City’s Food Delivery Program, which was initiated when the pandemic started in March 2020 to directly deliver healthy and nutritious food items to community members of Washington, DC, the student athletes helped pack thousands of canned goods and fresh produce to support this effort. In addition to this, the student athletes also supported a couple of our free community farmers markets by distributing seasonal vegetables and fruits to our neighbors.

Please describe the impact that the AFH U student-athletes had on Bread for the City.

In November 2021, Bread for the City hosted our very first Howard University Week. Members from the Howard University Women’s Soccer Team, Football Team, and Swim and Dive Team joined efforts to serve in both the Michelle Obama Southeast Center of Bread for the City and our Northwest Center.

How did Bread for the City benefit by having AFH U student athletes volunteer?

Since we rely heavily on volunteers’ support to pack and send out 500-1,000 food bags directly to our consumers’ homes, the student athletes have been a dependable group for an operation on this scale.