Pacific Athletics staff members Linda Vasquez and Joey Rossi, with son Maverick, took part in the Stockton Sports Unite food drive.

University of the Pacific Athletics joined three Stockton professional sports teams to support the Emergency Food Bank in May. 

Pacific Athletics worked with the Stockton Ports (baseball), Stockton Heat (hockey) and Stockton Kings (basketball) to organize and promote three food collections. The university also made a cash donation.

Visit Stockton coordinated the “Stockton Sports Unite” campaign.

“I think it is important that we have a united approach to our community,” Pacific Athletic Director Janet Lucas said. “We don’t need everybody doing something a little bit different. That’s why I thought it was really important that we support, in particular, what the community is trying to achieve.” 

Donation events were on three consecutive Fridays — May 1, 8 and 15. 

While results are not in for the May 15 collection, Tim Pasisz, director of sports and tourism for Visit Stockton, called the first two collections “hugely successful.”

For the May 8 collection, 1,535 pounds of non-perishable food was donated along with $4,810 in cash or checks. The total for the first two events was 2,320 pounds and $7,620 in donations.

Pasisz said Pacific’s marketing help has been “greatly appreciated.” He added the food bank is very grateful for the donations.