Little League World Series Food Vendors Raising Money for Community
Vendors at the 2008 Little League World Series have partnered with Delaware North Companies Sportservice in order to raise money for community organizations. Sportservice holds programs like this and stadiums and entertainment venues worldwide.
Buffalo, N. Y. (PRWEB) August 19, 2008
Dozens of volunteers are manning concessions at this year's Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. to aid their local not-for-profit organizations.
Through its unique fund-raising program, global food service provider Delaware North Companies Sportservice allows volunteers from charitable organizations in the Williamsport area to serve as vendors for various concession stands during the 10-day event. The volunteers' hard work and dedication earn the organizations a percentage of the food and beverage sales.
Volunteers from eight different Williamsport non-for-profit organizations are working with Sportservice at this year's event.
"For us, this event funds our athletic programs," said Sandy Patalive of the Walnut Street Christian School in Williamsport. "We can now offer our students basketball and soccer, and the money raised goes toward renting facilities and paying referees. Without the Little League World Series…we wouldn't have enough money to fund the athletic program."
Almost every organization that works with Sportservice at the Little League World Series has a similar story. The United Soccer Boosters club will use the money to build a concession stand at its local fields. The Lycoming Arts Council is using all money raised from the event to fund a documentary about a mural being painted in Williamsport that, upon completion, will be one of the largest in the world. Students at the Lori K. Welteroff Dance Company will use all funds raised to attend local and national dance competitions.
"You hear stories like this and it's incredibly heartwarming," said Rick Abramson, president of Delaware North Companies Sportservice. "Our company is dedicated to giving sports fans the best in concessions and culinary offerings, but we also want to make a difference in our communities. Our vendor program in Williamsport and in so many of the stadiums we operate enables us to help people and change lives. That's what it's all about."
Sportservice works hard to build relationships with the not-for-profit groups to keep them on board year after year.
"It's been a great, wonderful experience for us," said Chele Weaver of the United Soccer Boosters. "There's great camaraderie and everyone gets to know each other. Sportservice is more than accommodating with us and they go out of their way to make it a great experience. We're very proud to be part of this event."
Sportservice has greatly increased its food and beverage offerings at this year's Little League World Series and almost doubled its total points of sale. Sportservice expects these changes to result in increased sales that could result in an increase in donations over last year's total. After this year, Sportservice will have surpassed $250,000 in total donations at the Little League World Series since the company began operating at the event in 2001.
Sportservice employs similar fund-raising programs at the more than 40 major and minor professional sports venues at which it operates across the United States. Thousands of volunteers help Sportservice serve millions of guests at venues such as Soldier Field in Chicago and Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In return, the groups receive a commission on the concession sales.
"Sportservice invests in the communities where we operate," said Abramson, himself once a vendor at the old Milwaukee County Stadium. "Last year the hundreds of non-profit organizations we worked with received more than $15 million from Sportservice for programs and activities important to them and their community."
About Delaware North Companies Sportservice
Delaware North Companies Sportservice is one of the nation's leading food, beverage and retail management companies, providing concessions, gourmet catering and fine dining operations at more than 50 professional sporting venues, entertainment complexes and convention centers across the United States and Canada. Sportservice is the provider of choice for an impressive client roster including the World Series, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball's All-Star games, Stanley Cup Championships and the Olympic Games.
Throughout its 90-year history, Sportservice has demonstrated that it knows what it takes to effectively develop, operate and manage multi-faceted kitchens, restaurants, suites, fine dining and retail facilities in order to meet the changing demands of today's fans. From introducing healthier food selections and creative cuisine to twists on traditional fare and new organic options, Sportservice continues to innovate and enhance the fan experience.
About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www. DelawareNorth. com.
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