Blass, Bucs give back with Thanksgiving food drive

This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Steve Blass knows the important thing is showing up. Now 82 years old, the World Series hero and longtime Pirate broadcaster spent his Tuesday afternoon at the loading docks of Mazeroski Way by PNC Park, taking part in an event to distribute meals to families in need ahead of Thanksgiving.

“It's part of that two-way street that I've been walking since I was 18 and the Pirates gave me a chance to live my dreams,” Blass said. “I can't do enough of this stuff. When I get in the car to go home, my heart feels good.”

The Pirates helped organize and took part in a fourth annual food drive Tuesday with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Penguins and Steelers to help 300 families with a turkey, produce, apple pie and Giant Eagle gift card. The Penguins and Steelers -- who are in season -- had players at the event, while the Pirates had Blass, coach Jeremy Bleich and team president Travis Williams, as well as members of the front office and Pirates Charities team to help.

Pirates Charities has a wide range of causes that they help, from military support to funding Miracle League endeavors, but they grew their relationship with the Food Bank during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, hosting multiple food drives near PNC Park. Food insecurity in Pittsburgh is at its highest level since the pandemic, and with the holidays around the corner, the Pirates again teamed up to help those in need.

“When you come up to the holidays, what do you think about? You think about families sitting down, having meals, being able to enjoy a meal around the table,” Williams said. “We want to be able to give back to those people who support us throughout the year and make sure they have meals on the table and that they're able to enjoy the same types of holidays that all of us are able to enjoy.”

The space by the right field gate at PNC Park is a cul-de-sac. Jackie Stevenson, the executive director of Pirates Charities and community engagement, saw that space as an opportunity to host drive-up events, which became popular during the pandemic. The Pirates reached out to the Steelers and Penguins, saying they can take care of the logistics if they can join them in distribution.

It’s worked, and over the years the teams have combined to provide for 1,200 families, with a few extra in reserve just in case.

"I think people are more aware of the event the more years we've done it, which is great,” said Stevenson. “You want to have these staple events that you know people can rely on."

It’s been a boon for the Food Bank as well, which has established a coalition of representatives of Pittsburgh’s sports teams to help in events like Tuesday.

“It’s one of those things when people think, ‘Should I go to the food bank,’ there is some stigma with that,” said Brian Gulish, the vice president of marketing and communications at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “But when you include the three sports teams, that eliminates a lot of stigma. You have families that come in, neighbors that come in, kids that are in the back of the car and when they see one of the mascots, one of the players, it puts a smile on their face.

"For me and for us as an organization, that is what it’s all about. It’s making sure you’re not only putting a smile on someone’s face through food, but they have enough dignity and comfort to know they can come to a distribution, come to the food bank and have no shame or fear in getting food.”

Athletes and teams can help bridge that gap, whether they are still suiting up or legends for their team, like the Pirates Hall of Famer.

“I'm proud to be a part of a group of alumni in all the sports that have hung around [Pittsburgh], and the opportunities exist after we play too,” Blass said. “It's another way to say thanks. It's all good. People have made us welcome here a lot of years. It's time for us to show up."