By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb

CONNECTICUT-Washington Redskins defensive end and former Windsor High School football player Chris Baker is tackling hunger in the Greater Hartford area. Baker was on hand earlier this week to present a donation to Bloomfield based-Foodshare from The Chris Baker Foundation. Baker’s foundation strives to foster education and literacy.

According to a press release from Foodshare, Baker’s donation is expected to be the beginning of a continuing relationship with the food bank that serves the Greater Hartford region. It was noted that hunger can impede a child’s ability to perform well in school.

“I feel really good about Foodshare and the work it’s doing. I want to support that work,” Baker was quoted as saying.

Baker who went on to Penn State from WHS also had plans to visit area schools, including Windsor High. As well, his foundation has plans for a charity auction in November and to host a football camp in Windsor this summer.

President & CEO of Foodshare Gloria McAdam was quoted, “We’re so grateful for this contribution. And we’re looking forward to a long and constructive relationship.”

Baker’s Foodshare visit just might spur a combined effort among NFL players to fight hunger in the capital region. Baker is said to have pointed out there are other NFL players living in the area to which McAdam responded with a suggestion they join forces to volunteer at Foodshare, according to the press release.

Foodshare collects food and money to fight hunger year round but is currently gearing up for its big Thanksgiving ‘turkey and all the fixings’ collection drive.

For more information visit http://www.foodshare.org  or call 860-286-9999. Foodshare is located at 450 Woodland Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002-1342.