WASHINGTON - The desire to help others drives most of Vela McBride's life decisions, and it's extraordinary but also no surprise to find her doing whatever she can to help during a time of crisis in the United States and around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McBride and a group of other American University student-athletes volunteered on March 13 at the Capital Area Food Bank, and will be heading back soon with a much larger contingent.

"Having done an internship at the food bank last summer, I knew what the need was right now," said McBride. "I knew this community that I grew to love would be so hard-hit."

With fears about catching and spreading the disease on everyone's minds, and those in certain risk groups needing to be even more cautious, the volunteer numbers at the Capital Area Food Bank are down while the need in the community is greater than ever. The food bank is trying to fill the needs of low-income families across the DMV area and is hoping to get out around 34,000 more pounds of food than usual. Social distancing and cleanliness measures are being taken to help ensure the safety of volunteers while on shift.

To keep people from having to travel great distances, the food bank will be setting up hubs and pop-up markets across the region as families struggle with loss of income and children not in school.

Joining McBride were volleyball teammate Helena Elbaek, men's basketball's Jesse Little, men's soccer's Swezen Kizito and women's soccer's Morgan Lang. The group filled bags with onions and potatoes before also bagging meals for families that would last through the weekend. 

McBride has since put out an ask on social media for a return trip to the food back, and has received 30-35 responses from student-athletes as well as other friends at AU and in the area.
 
"l want to do whatever I can to help reduce the negative impact on the community served by the food bank," said McBride. "Having spent last summer there, I heard so much about the struggles they face in their normal lives. Now with having to self-quarantine, possibly losing income and facing hardships around childcare and kids missing school meals, it's just all compounding the situation. I want to do what we can to make their lives a little bit easier."

McBride says at a time when many are looking out for themselves, the student-athletes have a unique perspective that helps them see the bigger picture.

"I think as team players, we're used to putting others' needs first. It was cool to see how many people have reached out to me to continue this effort. I'm fortunate to be in a position to help and I know a lot of other student-athletes are in that same frame of mind."