Broken Arrow Program Is Using The Gridiron To Give Back

Ashli Sims, News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- A Green Country football program is proving the sport isn't just about competition. Broken Arrow's booster club is using the gridiron to give back.

Sometimes under the glare of Friday night lights, it's hard to see beyond the team you champion and the team you hope to defeat. But as fans poured into Tiger stadium they got a wake-up call.

"It's really weird cause I didn't realize until today actually that a city so close could have kids that don't eat some nights," said BA Senior Bryce Garren.

Garren says he thought of hunger as a problem for other people, other places. Not some place as close as Putnam City West.

The student body was suffering, so the football program started a food pantry to make sure no Patriots went hungry.

Last year, Broken Arrow heard about it and helped stocked this pantry. And this year, they're doing it again.

"I heard some stories about last year. It really touched me. So, boys need to eat," Garren said.

Broken Arrow parents says this isn't just a boost to the Putnam City West pantry, but a lesson in community and sportsmanship for their children.

"We're always talking about good sportsmanship out of the field and out of the classroom," said BA teacher Sarah Martin.

"There is a need even in our own group of football players. So we just try to tackle one school at a time. And maybe this will inspire someone else to take on another school that may need help," said Cherie Mann.

Find more information about the project and an easy way for you to get involved.