As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact the world around us, people are losing their source of income. A simple trip to the grocery store can be a struggle for people who used to do so without any worries. Baltimore Ravens tight end Nick Boyle doesn’t have to worry about not being able to go to the store but that didn’t stop him from thinking about those who are less fortunate. He and his wife Kristina recently made a donation that will provide 75,000 meals for those in need.
“We’ve had a lot of time on our hands and we’ve been watching a lot of the news. You see everything going on today with people in need of food and not being able to work to have money to buy food. I imagine putting myself in that position of needing food and not being able to have it,” Nick said via the Ravens website. “Fortunately, I am not in that position but just thinking about that made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to reach out and help those people. Little kids, families, older people, anyone who needs to have a meal should be able to have a meal without having to worry.”
The Boyles made a donation to the Maryland Food Bank, which has distribution centers throughout the state, one of which is in Baltimore. They have provided meals for the less fortunate in Maryland before the Covid-19 pandemics and have become a primary source for those impacted since the quarantine.
Kristina says their family has previously volunteered at the Transformation Center in the Brooklyn area of Baltimore. They donated to the Maryland Food Bank knowing that it will help those at the Transformation Center and others beyond their reach.
Kristina is a nurse but isn’t working on the front lines because she has been on maternity leave since the birth of their four-month-old son, Broc. However, she has stayed in touch with some of her coworkers. They have told her about the working conditions and the long hours they have to work.
Even though she isn’t at work, Kristina can’t help but think of some of the people she interacted with when she was working. That’s a part of what drove them to make their generous donation.
“I’m actually a pediatric psyche nurse and I was working in a school setting up until maternity leave. I know a lot of the kids there. They depend on schools for a hot meal. It just breaks my heart knowing that with schools being closed they are not getting that hot meal. That’s something I wanted to help out with,” Kristina said.
The Ravens as a whole have always made a conscious effort to connect to the Baltimore area and support the city. This recent good deed is the latest example.
Nick praised his teammates and the Ravens organization for their community outreach efforts. He feels it’s important to help the people who come out to the games and cheer for the Ravens.
“It’s extremely important and we’ve done a really good job of that. There’s more that we can do, but I think the work that we’ve done shows that we truly care about those people on our community. Those are the people that support us, wanting us to do great. For us to support them— it’s huge.”