Heart softball qualifiers come together to Strike Out Hunger

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- There will be plenty of competition on the field, but as teams and fans come together for this week's Heart of America Softball Championship they will unite for a single purpose -- to Strike Out Hunger.

Due to the pandemic and rise in unemployment, many food pantries have struggled to keep up with demand. Teams and fans are asked to bring food donations to put in their team's box at Busse Field. Items will be counted during the final game of the tournament with the winner announced at the conclusion of the championship.

All donations from the event, which runs May 6-9, will be donated to the HACAP food pantry in Cedar Rapids. However, if a team's community food pantry has been hit hard by the pandemic, they are welcome to take their donated items back to their local communities.