Members of the Maryland Athletic Department volunteered at the Maryland Food Bank in Halethorpe Friday afternoon. 

After a pressentation on food safety and the importance of feeding people in our communities, the Maryland volunteers worked on the Food Bank's assembly line system. They packaged boxed of meals for families in need and sorted groceries into different boxes for delivery.

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"This week has helped us see how we can help by just giving a few hours of our time," Maryland Director of Human Resources Debbie Russell said. "The Maryland Food Bank serves so many families in our communities and is such an important organization."

Maryland Athletics celebrated its final day of the “Week of Giving” by paying a visit to children at Paint Branch Elementary School Friday morning.

Staff and coaches headed down the road to share career advice with fourth, fifth and sixth graders at the local school.

Members of Maryland's external team, including Pat Shannon (video and broadcasting services), Lauren Taylor (marketing), Marty Summa (social media and digital marketing) and Jodi Fick (media relations) spoke with kids to help explain what it is like to brand and promote a team.

“We can't always control if we win or lose, so it's important to make sure all of our fans have a great time when they come to games no matter what,” Summa said. “Whichever career you choose, make sure you have fun doing it.”

Kristi Giddings (compliance) and Yewande Balogun (women's soccer) shared how they got to their respective positions in college athletics. The event was extra special for Balogun, who graduated from Paint Branch in 2001.

“It was a surreal experience to be back here at Paint Branch. I haven't been back here in a long while and it was very cool to reminisce on my time here,” Balogun, a former Maryland standout and now assistant coach, said. “This is a big reason why I love to be back at Maryland. Being able to give back to the school and program and expand that to the community that has given so much to me is really indescribable.”

Additionally, Mike Szemborski (strength and conditioning) and Colleen Carrion (nutrition) spoke of their experiences on keeping student-athletes fit and healthy.

Maryland's “Week on Giving” continued on Thursday afternoon when Maryland Intercollegiate Athletics Staff members helped serve lunch to guests at the Prince George's Plaza Day Center in College Park.

Assistant track and field coaches Matthew Jelley and Roland Desonier, in addition to Matt Monroe (Ticket Office) and Keith Sneddon (Media Relations) helped prepare and serve lunch to patrons from 1:00-3:00 pm.

“I'm glad I had this opportunity to serve,” said Sneddon. “Everyone was so pleasant and appreciative, it really made for a welcoming environment. It's nice to give back to a community that's been such a large presence in my life.” 

The week of giving will continue into tomorrow when staff members volunteer at the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore.

Day Three - Maryland Food Bank
Maryland Athletics' Week of Giving continued at the Maryland Food Bank Wednesday. After finding out how many Marylanders are food insecure, athletics staff spent three hours helping to prepare and package food to be taken to one of the food bank's distribution centers, where it will be given to those in need.

"Today was a great experience to give back to the community," director of ticket operations Preston Robinson said. "The food bank was a great organization to work with, and I think having the athletic department involved within communities across Maryland is important."

The Week of Giving will return to the Prince George's Plaza Day Center Thursday.

The "Week of Giving" continued Tuesday afternoon when members of the Maryland Athletics staff, including Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson, helped serve lunch to guests of the Prince George's Plaza Day Center in College Park.

The staff members helped prepare the lunch before assisting with serving and cleanup. The service began at 12:30 Tuesday afternoon. 

The Week of Giving will continue Wednesday at the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore. 

Day One of the "Week of Giving" kicked off on Monday morning with Maryland Athletics staff serving doughnuts, muffins and coffee to students and faculty on campus at the Stamp Student Union.

"It was a great start to my Monday and a very nice surprise," said Anna Alberini, a professor in the department of agricultural and resource economics. "Mondays can be challenging so this really made my day."

Joining the committee this morning at 7:00 a.m. for the two-hour breakfast was Andrew Valmon, head coach of track & field/cross country.

Smiling and greeting guests as they arrived to the Maryland tent for breakfast, Valmon shared how it was a fun way to start the week.

"This is a great opportunity to give back to our campus community and engage with our students, faculty and many new friends on campus," said Valmon.

The Week of Giving will continue on Tuesday as the Terps will volunteer at Prince George's Plaza Day Center, preparing and serving lunch to the community.