Staples Sports Teams Feed Front Line Personnel

As former president of Staples High School’s Gridiron Club and current treasurer of the Staples Boys Basketball Association, Amanda Thaw knows that whenever a Wrecker team needs help for a fundraiser, it turns to local restaurants and businesses.

They always come through.

Now, she thought, there must be a way to help support those owners in their time of need. And at the same time, to help front line personnel when they’re working so hard.

She made a few calls. Quickly, nearly a dozen Staples sports teams said “sign us up!”

#FeedItForward works this way: Teams pair up with a restaurant they choose. They provide a meal for a front line group of their choice. The restaurant delivers. The hungry personnel eat well. Everyone wins!

So far the girls soccer team fed Norwalk Hospital staffers, from Sherwood Diner. Boys soccer provided Tutti’s dinner to the Westport Police Department. The football team took care of the Westport Police Department, thanks to Viva Zapata. And boys lacrosse donated dinner to Westport EMS, through Colony Grill.

Girls soccer calls Norwalk Hospital staff “our heroes.”

Also committed: boys basketball, rugby, wrestling, boys track, boys volleyball, baseball and boys tennis.

Future food providers include Calise’s Market, Jr’s Deli & Grille, and Four Brothers Pizza. All are grateful for the business, and eager to help.

Boys soccer co-captain Jack Douglas, flanked by Tutti’s owner Maria Funicello and Officer Jimmy Sullivan.

ASF — the always-helpful sports store — is involved too. Norwalk Hospital staffers are on their feet all day. So they’ve been provided new socks — and chewing gum. (Their mouths get stale wearing masks).

Hot meals for the Fire Department, courtesy of Staples football and Viva Zapata.

There are plenty of other groups to feed too, like supermarket and pharmacy personnel, utility workers and others.

More teams can get involved — not just Staples, but throughout town. Other organizations can help as well.

For details, email amandathaw@gmail.com.

The boys lacrosse team hooks up Westport EMS.