BUFFALO, N.Y. - This holiday season, the D'Youville University women's soccer team is taking action to support families across Buffalo by launching "Sponsor A Meal," a community service project designed to meet the growing needs of individuals facing food insecurity. The initiative embodies one of the program's core values: serving the community with compassion, dignity, and unity.

"Giving back to our community is an important pillar of our program," head women's soccer coach Angela Nicholas-Tolsma explained. "Now more than ever, this time of year is extremely challenging for many families. We wanted to organize something that was straightforward, quick, and could support local resources experiencing a massive increase in immediate need."

Inspired by a popular social media trend, the Saints adopted the "Meal In A Bag" concept — a pantry-friendly, 100% shelf-stable meal kit modeled after HelloFresh-style convenience. Each kit includes every ingredient needed to make a full, hearty meal, along with a recipe card to ensure families do not need additional items like butter, milk, or fresh produce. The goal is simple: remove barriers and make meal preparation easy and accessible for anyone, regardless of circumstances.

For women's soccer senior Eleonora Cecchini, the project hits close to home.

"Food insecurity is a prominent issue, particularly in our local Buffalo community. This campaign is a small way for us to do our part in helping those in need and supporting families during a challenging time of year. We hope to bring some joy and happiness to our community this holiday season."

The initiative is also deeply meaningful to her teammate Chandra Philips, who recognized the heightened struggles families are facing after significant reductions to SNAP benefits.

"I think this is a really important project that we have decided to do," Philips said. "Many families around the holidays struggle with getting food on the table, and I love that we are able to alleviate some of that stress for them. This year has likely been even more stressful with so many families losing their SNAP benefits. That is what sparked the original idea for this!"

In total, the Saints assembled 110 complete meal kits, offering 11 warm, nourishing, and easy-to-prepare recipes, including:

• White Chicken Chili
• Beef & Bean Chili
• Cheesy Chicken & Rice Soup
• Cheesy Taco Soup
• Chicken & Dumplings
• Chicken Cobbler
• Corn Chowder
• Homestyle Ham Chowder
• Minestrone Soup
• Turkey Dinner in a Bag
• "Best of Thanksgiving" Casserole

The team also addressed a major barrier that often goes overlooked: transportation. Many families in Buffalo lack reliable access to food banks, even when services are available. To reach those individuals, the Saints will deliver meal bags not only to local food banks but also to neighborhood free pantries across Buffalo, expanding access for community members who may otherwise struggle to acquire assistance.

Beyond providing meals, the project has strengthened the team's culture and reinforced the values that define D'Youville women's soccer. Senior Laoise O'Haodha highlighted how meaningful it was to take part in the initiative alongside her teammates.

"Participating in projects like this provides us with an opportunity to impact our community positively and reinforce our values as a program. Values such as selflessness, humility, and togetherness are integral to who we are, and initiatives like these allow us to strengthen our team culture. Shopping for supplies and packaging them together as a team was not only great for bonding but also created lasting memories while working toward a meaningful goal. The Sponsor-a-Meal Program has been an enjoyable project and has supported our mission of never refusing to serve."

With thoughtful planning, intentional choices, and a commitment to meet people where they are, the D'Youville University women's soccer team is demonstrating what it truly means to serve the community. Through "Sponsor A Meal," the Saints are not just delivering food — they are delivering dignity, comfort, and hope during one of the toughest times of the year.

This project is more than service. It is a reflection of the team's values, their unity, and their unwavering commitment to lifting up the Buffalo community one meal at a time.