From The Tribune staff reports
PINSON — The Clay-Chalkville Cougars are eating well this summer.
Following workouts each Monday through Thursday, the Cougar football team exits the weight room and heads straight to lunch, which has been prepared by volunteers from Faith Community Fellowship in Trussville.
Volunteers from Faith Community Fellowship prepare lunch for the Clay-Chalkville football team on July 23, 2020. Photo by Erik Harris
According to events coordinator Chris Maye, the church prepared 320 hotdogs to go with 150 burgers for Clay-Chalkville players and coaches last Thursday, July 23. Maye says Faith Community Church also provides players with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches following practice sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
This project, which has been ongoing for the last eight weeks, would not be possible without the church’s 10-plus volunteers.
“They’ve been out her with us all summer,” said Clay-Chalkville head coach Drew Gilmer. “They’ve been giving us food every week and they come out on Thursdays and they cook for our coaches and our kids.”
“It’s great food and fellowship,” he continued.
In previous years, Faith Community Fellowship has organized “block parties” where members visit local neighborhoods to grill out and fellowship. However, coronavirus concerns have prevented such outings this year, opening an opportunity to reach out to local student-athletes.
Volunteers from Faith Community Fellowship grill hotdogs for the Clay-Chalkville football team on July 23, 2020. Photo by Erik Harris
“We decided that we would come out here every week and do what we can to meet their needs,” said Maye. “They are very thankful. They really appreciate us coming out and we’ve been able to build relationships with them and that’s what it’s all about.”
The Cougars are coming off a 10-3 season that ended in the Class 6A quarterfinals. Following last week’s announcement from the AHSAA to move ahead with the fall sports season as scheduled, Clay-Chalkville is expected to open up 2020 at Shades Valley on Aug. 21.
