CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers took a team field trip Monday, and it wasn't to another stadium.

  • The team packed boxes at Second Harvest Food Bank to be sent to those hit the hardest by Hurricane Florence
  • The David Tepper Charitable Foundation and the Carolina Panthers Charities pledged $450,000 to regional food banks
  • They are also donating $1 million to the American Red Cross, and will help high school sports programs impacted by the storm

The team spent the morning at Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte loading up boxes of food to be sent to those hit the hardest by Hurricane Florence.

 

 

The David Tepper Charitable Foundation and the Carolina Panthers Charities pledged $450,000 to regional food banks. 

 

 

For the players, seeing their team owner and head coach side-by-side giving back helps inspire them to continue to help those in need.

"Prior to the hurricane, that was a big message that he gave to us. His first meeting with us is how much he wanted to help the surrounding communities and particular areas. And that's what we're doing now, and to see him hands on is great," said Ryan Kalil. 

"That's just the kind of guy he is. He wants to be very involved, he wants to be part of the community. So I think this is a great thing that we're doing that he spear-headed. So again, this is a great thing that the team came together and everybody's participating, so it's a feel-good thing that we're doing," said Julius Peppers. 

In addition to the food boxes, the David Tepper Charitable Foundation and the Carolina Panthers Charities are donating $1 million to the American Red Cross, and will help high school sports programs impacted by the storm.