With the government shut down, Austin school district baseball and softball programs are stepping up.
Spearheaded by LASA baseball coach Eric Martanovic and athletic director Gary Howard, AISD is having a “pack the pantry” food fundraiser wiffle ball tournament Sunday at the Nelson athletic complex in northeast Austin. The event will benefit district families affected by the interruption of SNAP benefits that starts Saturday.
Those wishing to donate can deliver food or money to any AISD baseball or softball coach or bring food or donations to the tournament, which starts at 5 p.m. Admission to the event is $10 or a bag of nonperishable groceries worth $10 or more.
Martanovic said he hopes each AISD school will field a baseball and softball team for the event. The tournament will conclude with the championship games at 8:30 p.m.
Food distribution will take place Monday at individual schools by administrators, who will allot the donations to students.