New York's Kelvin Beachum Named Week 6 NFLPA Community MVP

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2018

NEW YORK’S KELVIN BEACHUM NAMED WEEK 6 NFLPA COMMUNITY MVP
Jets offensive lineman raised more than $70,000 for five food banks in honor of World Food Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kelvin Beachum has been named Week 6 NFLPA Community MVP for leading the World Food Day Match Challenge that generated $71,590 for five food banks to combat domestic food insecurity. The money pulled in during the three-week fundraiser -- $46,000 of which was personally donated by Beachum -- will feed 337,892 meals to those in need across the country.

“I am so grateful for the hundreds of people who joined my World Food Day Match Challenge, and equally grateful to the NFLPA for recognizing me as this week's Community MVP,” Beachum said. “I feel truly blessed that I was able to inspire others to help their neighbors.”

The campaign, which kicked off September 25 and ran through October 15, benefited food banks in Beachum’s hometown, college town and cities that he has played for during his NFL career – Central Texas Food Bank, North Texas Food Bank, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Feeding Northeast Florida and Food Bank for New York City.

The seven-year veteran donated $5,000 to each of the food banks, pledging to double that donation if matched by community members. The final giving amounts were announced on World Food Day (October 16) at the Food Bank for New York City, where Beachum volunteered for the day as part of his ongoing efforts to fight against global hunger.

“Food insecurity is often an ignored issue in the United States,” said Beachum, who prepares food for the elderly and organizes donations in the warehouse as a monthly volunteer at the Food Bank for New York City. “My hope is by having more people join the fight to end hunger, we can start to make this crisis a local and national priority.”

Since joining the NFL in 2012, Beachum has been a committed advocate for several important causes and initiatives, including food insecurity, STEM-based learning and clean water access. As an official spokesman for Bread of the World, Beachum has helped pass legislation that would improve school lunch and breakfast programs while educating policymakers on the effects of malnutrition.

He has also funded field trips and STEM programming opportunities for minority children. This included launching an annual STEM initiative in his hometown of Mexia, Texas as part of his Kelvin Konnects program for underserved students. Through his strategic partnership with World Vision, he’s helped develop several global, humanitarian efforts to develop water systems in third-world countries along with education and disaster relief for communities.

In honor of Beachum being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice along with an in-kind donation to him on behalf of our supporting partner Delta Private Jets. A limited-edition bobblehead will also be made of Beachum and sold by our supporting partner Forever Collectibles at www.sportsfanisland.com and www.foco.com. The NFLPA will donate part of the proceeds from this collector’s item to the player’s charity or foundation of choice.

The NFLPA is also proud to partner with Life is Good, the original positive lifestyle apparel brand, to showcase athletes whose values align with the brand’s commitment to growing the good in their communities and helping those in need. In January 2019, Life is Good will further advance the MVPs’ worthy causes with the Life is Good x NFLPA commemorative T-shirt collection at LifeisGood.com and Fanatics.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to each player’s charity or foundation of choice.

Beachum, along with the other 2018 Community MVPs, will become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.

The NFLPA Community MVP program recognizes NFL players who are making a positive impact in their local communities. Each week during the regular season, the NFLPA will celebrate one NFL player who has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to his community. Please visit our website to read more about the program as well as the current and past winners.

2018 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 0: Tyrann Mathieu, Houston Texans
Week 1: Melvin Gordon, L.A. Chargers
Week 2: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 3: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 4: Damon Harrison, New York Giants
Week 5: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

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