Vipers Kick Off Hoops Against Hunger This Week

MCALLEN, TEXAS – The defending NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Action 4 News and Clear Channel Radio (KTEX 100.3, Wild 104, The X 105.5, Hot Kiss 106.3) announced Monday that Hoops Against Hunger, in which four non-perishable food items can be donated at the State Farm Arena doors in exchange for a free ticket to select Vipers weekday home games, returns for its third season on Wednesday when the Vipers face the New Mexico Thunderbirds at 7:00 p.m.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday’s food donations will benefit the Food Bank RGV. Additionally, donations to games on February 2, February 16, March 15 and March 23 will also benefit the Food Bank RGV.

The Vipers will also have six games in which food donations will benefit the Salvation Army: December 20, January 18, January 19, February 1, March 14 and March 21.

“The Salvation Army’s largest fundraising period is the holiday season is from Thanksgiving to Christmas eve, where we raise not only food, clothing, and toys for needy families but the majority of the funds used to provide all of our programs and services here in Hidalgo county for the entire year. But that’s only possible because the generous support of individual donors and concerned corporate partners, like the Vipers, who conduct special campaigns benefitting The Salvation Army, giving Hidalgo county residents a wide range of choices when it comes to supporting their neighbors in need,” Major Dan Ford of the Salvation Army said.

The Vipers collected, on average, about 300 pounds of food during each game in which they had a food drive last season.

“We can’t thank our fans enough for stepping up and helping out those in need over the last two years, and we hope that it will continue this year. One of our goals it to bounce out hunger in the Rio Grande Valley, and we know that is a goal that we can achieve together,” Vipers President Bert Garcia said.