IRVINE, Calif. (September 14, 2020) – The Orange County Soccer Club Community Foundation, with the help of a grant from The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States, has made a $15,000 donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to provide relief for residents experiencing food insecurity in Orange County as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thrilled to be working with The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States in their charitable efforts to help local communities in Orange County hit hard by COVID-19. Both organizations believe in the importance of soccer in lifting up communities and providing hope in challenging times,” said Jeff Garner, President of Business Operations.

“The current health crisis has impacted people in all aspects of life, and during these challenging times, we must band together to uplift one another,” said His Excellency Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States. “The Orange County Soccer Club is working diligently to combat food insecurity in their community, and we are proud to work alongside them to address it and help while we can.”

The donation was made to address immediate needs in Orange County during these unprecedented times. The OCSC Community Foundation, The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States, and Second Harvest Food Bank are committed to meeting those needs.

“The OCSC Community Foundation was formed to address the needs of underserved Orange County communities with a focus on health and wellness, youth leadership, advancing social change, and community impact. Many families today are in dire need of assistance during this difficult period caused by COVID-19, and we know that Second Harvest is working hard to help families experiencing food insecurity,” said OCSC Community Foundation Chief Financial Officer, Lisa Keston.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is working tirelessly to provide over 500,000 families with weeks’ worth of groceries. They are working on the front lines to provide food to their Partner Network who distribute that food to families that need it in more than 350 locations throughout the county.

“As unemployment and the need for food continues to increase, we are very grateful to OCSC Community Foundation and the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States for their support in helping us to alleviate hunger in our community,” said Harald Herrmann, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank.

Qatar is the host of the FIFA World Cup 2022, and The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States is proud to be working with Orange County’s only professional soccer team, OCSC, and the Second Harvest Food Bank to help the local Orange County community.

For more information on the foundation and OCSC Community Foundation events please visit http://www.orangecountysoccer.com/community.

All questions about the foundation and events can be directed to Lisa Keston at lisa@orangecountysoccer.com.

The OCSC Community Foundation is the official charitable arm of the Orange County Soccer Club, a 501(c)(3) foundation founded in 2020 to serve the greater Orange County community. Its mission: To use soccer as a vehicle to promote health and wellness, support and empower our youth, foster an inclusive environment, and unify our local community.

ABOUT THE EMBASSY OF THE STATE OF QATAR IN THE UNITED STATES:

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C. houses Qatar's diplomatic mission to the United States. The primary purposes of the Embassy are to highlight Qatar’s policies on regional issues, strengthen Qatar-U.S. bilateral relations and to assist Qatari citizens who travel or live in the U.S. The current Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America is His Excellency Sheikh Meshal Bin Hamad Al-Thani. For more information, visit us at https://washington.embassy.qa/

ABOUT SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY:

Second Harvest Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in Orange County. Last year, our Food Bank distributed more than 42 million pounds of food to our Partner Network who then provided food to those in need at more than 350 locations throughout the county. We propel change through strategic, innovative partnerships and collaborations with community organizations that are equally committed to alleviating poverty. We provide reliable access to sufficient and nutritious foods and are dedicated to creating a community where all can thrive. For more information visit FeedOC.org.

Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) is Orange County’s only professional soccer team and is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest-growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 35 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the 5,500-seat Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. OCSC’s strategic partner is Rangers Football Club of Glasgow in the Scottish Premier League. OCSC signed the youngest male in United States soccer history to a professional contract, Francis Jacobs, in 2019 at the age of 14. The team also executed the first-ever player move from the USL to Wolfsburg of the German Bundesliga with Bryang Kayo in 2020. OCSC’s preceding club, Orange County Blues, was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.

For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: http://www.orangecountysoccer.com.

For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chad Romiti

PR Manager

Orange County Soccer Club

949-647-GOAL

chad@orangecountysoccer.com