DENVER — The Colorado Rockies knocked it out of the park with their 'Stay at Home Opener' idea.
On what would have been their first game at Coors Field this season on Friday, the team put together a virtual 'home opener' that also served as a fundraiser for food banks in Colorado and Wyoming.
The Rockies announced via Twitter on Tuesday that the team raised more than half a million dollars with the event. The majority ($300,000) came from the Rockies Foundation.
First baseman Daniel Murphy and his wife, Tori, donated $100,000 -- and $102,425 was raised through 1,134 online donations.
The virtual part of the 'Stay at Home Opener' consisted of replaying some of the team's best home-opening game highlights on AT&T Sports Network.
"These are unprecedented times for food banks across Colorado and Wyoming," Food Bank of the Rockies President and CEO Erin Pulling said before the 'Stay at Home Opener'.
"We are seeing a doubling in those who need food assistance as a result of COVID-19, and we are proud to have the Colorado Rockies’ leadership step up to contribute funds to aid in our response."
In the news release from the Rockies, Pulling said in normal times they distribute enough food to provide 155,000 meals in a single day, with nearly half of this food going to children. Due to the impact of COVID-19, Food Bank of the Rockies is expecting to feed double their number of typical clients for at least the next three to six months.
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