Warren Girls Team Donates to Gospel Mission Pantry

Warren Girls Team Donates to Gospel Mission Pantry

The holiday season brought an uplifting moment to Marietta as the Warren girls basketball team delivered a generous donation of food and personal care items to the Gospel Mission Food Pantry. What began as a simple idea for community service quickly turned into a meaningful act of compassion involving players, families and fans.

A Community Effort at the Home Opener

Warren head girls basketball coach Brad Venham explained that the donation was the result of a collection drive during the team’s home opener against Gallipolis. Players arrived with bags of nonperishable goods, and fans who attended the game joined in, adding to the growing pile of canned foods, boxed meals and household staples.

Venham said the delivery was more than a routine drop off. It was a reminder that sports programs can serve their communities in ways that go beyond the scoreboard. The team visited the Gospel Mission to hand over the items and express their support in person.

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Encouraging Young People to Serve

For Candy Waite, director of the Gospel Mission, the contribution arrived at a meaningful time. With Thanksgiving approaching, demand for pantry support typically rises. She said seeing high school athletes step forward was especially encouraging.

Waite shared her appreciation, noting that these small acts of generosity can make a big difference. She said young people who choose to help strangers are showing a level of compassion that inspires everyone around them.

Living Out the Motto Be the Light

This year, the Warren girl’s basketball team carries the motto Be the Light, an idea drawn from Matthew 5 verses 14 to 16. Venham said the message is simple but powerful. It challenges the players to bring hope and positivity wherever they go and reminds them that their influence extends far beyond the gym.

Venham described the world as a place that can often feel overwhelming or negative. He said that whenever his players find ways to brighten someone’s day, especially during the holiday season, they are learning lessons that matter for life, not just basketball.

The coach added that teaching character is as important as teaching skills. If players grow into adults who value service and kindness, then the program has accomplished something meaningful.

The Importance of Giving During the Holiday Season

The timing of the donation was significant. Food insecurity increases for many families during the winter months, and community food pantries rely heavily on contributions from schools, churches and local organizations. The generosity of the Warren team helps ensure that more families in Washington County will have food on their table as the holidays approach.

In addition to meeting practical needs, acts of giving strengthen community spirit. Donations like these highlight the role youth can play in making their towns better places to live. It encourages a cycle of kindness where local programs inspire others to step in and serve.

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A Gesture That Goes Beyond Basketball

Waite expressed deep gratitude for the contribution and for the example the team is setting. She said every item donated will reach someone in need and every act of kindness encourages those who may be facing difficult times. The combined efforts of players and fans showed that teamwork extends far outside the court.

For the Warren girls basketball team, this donation is only one part of their commitment to serve. Venham said the program will continue looking for ways to stay involved in the surrounding communities throughout the season.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between the team and the Gospel Mission demonstrates how sports programs can be a force for good. Through simple acts of generosity, young athletes learn the value of service and local families receive the support they need.

As the holidays draw near, the Warren girls’ basketball team hopes their small gesture encourages others to be a light in their own communities. Each act of kindness creates a ripple effect, reminding everyone that even in challenging times, there is always room for hope and compassion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi

Image Credit: warren.com