Matt Patricia, Lions Empowering Detroit-Area Nonprofit

The Lions are helping Empowerment Plan, a Detroit-based nonprofit that "employs displaced single parents to make coats that convert into sleeping bags, fighting the issue of homelessness on two fronts." When the Lions got in contact with the company, at coach Matt Patricia's request, they were already "deep into plans to produce both surgical masks and hospital gowns, even though they weren't sure how they were going to fund the crisis-driven pivot." With a "combination of team and personal resources," Patricia "committed to helping get things off the ground." The production of medical supplies is "intended to help at the local level, at least at the start." From there, the company will "reassess production and demand" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/3).

PERFECT PARTNERSHIP: When Rays officials "discussed how best to help community efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, they made a pretty easy decision on where to start, committing $250,000" to Feeding Tampa Bay, a group that "provides meals and food service across 10 counties." The club is "making a $100,000 donation and will offer up to another $150,000 in matching funds for an online virtual food drive." In effect, the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund are "donating 1 million meals, and will match up to 1.5 million more, for a potential overall contribution of 4 million meals" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/3). 

NFL STARS: Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey has "started '22 and You,' a program committed to raising money for healthcare workers in the Carolinas." The "goal of the fund is to support front-line medical workers, including physicians, nurses and other hospital staff battling the pandemic." Lowe’s and Bose have "already contributed to the fund and McCaffrey matched their support" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/3)....Browns WR Jarvis Landry "donated $15,000 to provide hygiene products to East Cleveland City School District students and their families" (NBCSPORTS.com, 4/2)....Vikings WR Adam Thielen's Thielen Foundation has "committed an additional $75,000 to Minnesota COVID-19 relief efforts and announced plans to help raise more money through an April 9 radiothon." The organization will "donate $75,000 to Salvation Army North, M Health Fairview and MN Disaster Recovery Fund for Coronavirus." Last month, the foundation "gave $25,000 to Second Harvest Heartland" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/3).

MLB AND NBA: Phillies RF Bryce Harper and his wife, Kayla, "donated $500,000 on Thursday toward coronavirus relief in Las Vegas and Philadelphia" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/3)....Cubs 2B Jason Kipnis set up an account with video-sharing site Cameo and will "donate portions of the proceeds to coronavirus relief and medical workers" (NBCSPORTSCHICAGO.com, 4/2)....Rockets F P.J. Tucker will release a "new limited-edition collection of clothing items next week to help promote awareness of coronavirus safety measures and raise funds for the Houston Food Bank and local businesses and vendors" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/3)....Trail Blazers G and Canton, Ohio, native CJ McCollum is "donating $170,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts," with $100,000 of that going to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/3). 

MORE ORGANIZATIONAL AID: Islanders players "made a financial commitment to help health care workers treating coronavirus patients by pooling funds to donate about 3,500 N95 masks to Northwell Health" (NEWSDAY, 4/3)....The Marlins Foundation on Thursday announced it is "launching the Home Plate Meals Relief Fund, which in partnership with Feeding South Florida will 'launch a weekly drive-thru food distribution throughout the month of April.'" A "total of $150,000 has been earmarked so far for the food drive" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/3).