Special delivery: OHS football players help out in community

Few events bring a community together like a high school football game.

The Orrville football team decided to repay some of its loyal supporters by going to them to lend a helping hand.

Nineteen Red Riders along with head coach Matt Zuercher teamed up with NOW Church of the Nazarene-Orrville to pass out food to 50 needy families on Aug. 21.

Orrville sophomore wide receiver-linebacker Nick Amstutz will long remember the smiling, appreciative faces he saw while volunteering.

“It made me feel good because we gave back to the community,” Amstutz said. “The people who support us, we supported them.”

NOW Church Orrville Pastor Jim Copenhaver and his church members have been working with the Matthew 25 Outreach Center in Wooster to deliver food throughout the Orrville area for nearly a year.

“Once COVID started shutting things down, we knew that a lot of people were struggling, especially financially,” Copenhaver said. “For nearly a year, we have been feeding about 50 families in Orrville on the third Saturday of each month.

“Along with my wife, Angela, we started thinking it would be nice to make this more than a church event and connect more people with our church. We know how much people in Orrville love their high school football team, and coach Matt Zuercher accepted our invitation to have his team join forces with us.”

These weren’t just one-time meals being dropped off.

Thanks to the generosity of Matthew 25 and its donors, the big boxes delivered go a long way toward feeding a family for a whole month. The care packages include items such as chicken, pot roast, fruits, salads, nuts and other types of snacks.

“It’s helped me immensely,” said Anne, last name withheld for privacy. “It’s been a big help. The food lasts. I use it wisely, and I use it to help other people. I make meals with it, that way it’s not just for me but for others too.”

The outreach program has been extremely rewarding for Copenhaver and his parishioners. More than just giving food, they give residents the gift of knowing neighbors care about them.

“It’s been a real blessing,” Copenhaver said. “There are a lot of hurting families right here in Orrville. We’re trying to help, and this is a great start. Some people have asked us to pray with them right on their doorsteps. We’ve added them to our prayer lists. It all fits in with our mantra, ‘Together.’”

For the Orrville players who participated, it was an opportunity to learn lessons that extend beyond the white lines of Red Rider Stadium.

Despite still having some bumps and bruises from their season-opening 30-6 loss the night before against Wooster, the Riders pitched right in and delivered food throughout the city.

One of the most gratifying things for Copenhaver to hear was many players said they’d be willing to help the outreach program again.

“I would definitely do this again because I feel like helping other people in need is one of my responsibilities,” senior quarterback Tyler Schroer said. “I know my parents have given me things that some others don’t have. It makes me feel good to help others who don’t have what I have.”

Sophomore wide receiver-defensive end Mason Woodruff said it was a good feeling to meet and help fellow Orrville residents.

“We got to go out and see some of the people who come to our games to support us,” Woodruff said. “I would definitely do it again.”

To contact Copenhaver, email office@nowchurch.live. To contact Matthew 25 Outreach Center, email info@m25oc.org.