By Juan Ruiz, Vice President of AO Tampa

When American Outlaws Tampa learned that we would be hosting a USMNT game against Uruguay on November 18th alongside AO National, we decided it would be the perfect time to collect items for donation in our community.

Nick Russell, the AO Tampa secretary, says the idea actually originated from a speaker at an AO Leadership Rally in 2016. The speaker was inspired by fans coming together to support a team, and talked about the power the American Outlaws community could have in doing something charitable.

When Nick led the AO chapter in Montgomery prior to moving to Tampa, he was able to do a food drive during a doubleheader of the USWNT and the USMNT in 2019, and so he thought why not do it again for this year’s USA - Uruguay match.

Feeding Tampa Bay has been an incredible success story in the Tampa community as they have been around since 1981 and last year served 87 million meals locally. The organization is committed not only to feeding people in need, but to breaking the cycle of food insecurity.

AO Tampa connected with Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) to collect boxes to fill with food items. Dave Miller, board member and Capo of the chapter, was able to go and pick up the boxes at FTB's facility.

Our chapter encouraged people to bring donations to the Night Before Party through social media, American Outlaws communications, and through word of mouth, sharing that we would be raffling prizes for those that brought donations for FTB.

People contributed food donations and money to Feeding Tampa Bay that night, filling three big boxes for donation at the Night Before Party. The next day at the American Outlaws tailgate, we filled two more boxes with donations. In total, the community donated 369 pounds of food, in other words, 307.5 meals!

After the game, all five boxes of donations were dropped off with Feeding Tampa Bay. After seeing our success, AO Tampa has decided to continue to support Feeding Tampa Bay's mission and to expand our intake to clothes for The Spring of Tampa Bay which aims to prevent domestic violence, protect victims, and promote change in lives, families and communities.

We will continue to take in food for Feeding Tampa Bay and clothing for The Spring at upcoming watch parties, friendlies, at our spring picnic, and of course during World Cup watch parties.

A message from AO Tampa: “We Love ya American Outlaws, and we love the USA! So let's expand our impact in our communities!”

To keep up with AO Tampa, follow along on Instagram @aotampa. To join their chapter, click here.