Staff Report

ROME TOWNSHIP --- Fairland Boys Buddy Basketball League will compete on a post-Christmas game with one goal in mind: helping replenish a local food pantry.

On Saturday, Dec. 29, the league will compete on the basketball court throughout the day, while member teams will be working to collect canned and non-perishable foods.

This pantry serves families in the Fairland School District throughout the year. The team bringing in the most food will earn a free pizza party sponsored and onated by Giovanni’s Pizza of Rome-Proctorville.

“Holidays and the winter season in general create greater community food needs,” said Tate Tooley, president of the league, in a release. “As demands increase and shelves are emptied to fill holiday food baskets, it really stretches the resources of our local food pantry. This project gives the league a chance to help the food pantry make it through the post-holiday months, relieving some of that stress.

“We have a great group of coaches, players, families and supporters and we are excited to be able to restock and support this food pantry.”

Food may be donated from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the games at the Fairland Middle and Fairland East Elementary schools. Teams will have areas set aside according to their colors.