Tampa Bay Rays support Venezuela relief efforts after quake

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays donated $100,000 to World Central Kitchen to support relief efforts in Venezuela after a devastating earthquake killed hundreds of people.

The donation is helping provide meals and other support to people on the ground. The Rays said more than 1 million meals have been distributed as part of the relief work.

For some members of the Rays organization, the disaster hit close to home.

Jorge Moncada, a Rays bullpen coach, was born and raised in Venezuela and now lives in Pinellas County. He said his first thoughts were with his family after learning about the earthquake.

“The first thing that goes through your mind is the family, to make sure they’re OK,” Moncada said.

Moncada said his family was safe, but the days that followed were difficult because he was far away from Venezuela.

“We always feel the pain of our neighbors, the people that are over there,” Moncada said. “There were a lot of baseball people who lost loved ones.”

Harold Craw, senior vice president of social responsibility and community engagement for the Rays, said the partnership with World Central Kitchen is also helping communities prepare for what may come next.

“They were able to leave equipment, supplies and things to help folks and organizations in that area be prepared with what might be next,” Craw said.

Craw said the Rays have responded to natural disasters before, including during the 2024 hurricane season. He said donations from organizations can also encourage others to help.

“Hopefully it engages a larger market segment or a larger population to actually jump in and help,” Craw said.

Rays coach Charlie Valerio said the earthquake also affected his family. His wife is Venezuelan, and he said they sent nonperishable goods after hearing from loved ones following the earthquake.

Valerio said seeing the Rays support Venezuela was meaningful to Latino players, coaches and staff members throughout the organization.

“The baseball organization has a lot of players in the smaller leagues and coaches that were impacted,” Valerio said. “It’s beautiful to see the Rays helping and supporting Venezuela.”

The Rays said they remain in contact with World Central Kitchen to determine what additional help may be needed. The organization is also exploring ways to assist in relief efforts in Colombia, which was impacted by an earthquake last month.