Football team makes a difference on Pioneer Park's turf feeding homeless


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SALT LAKE CITY -- Riley Whimpey is a little out of his element.

Instead of taking down a running back this outside linebacker is tackling a soup ladle.

"It makes me feel lucky becase we usually don't think about the homeless people," Whimpey said.

"They work all season long and they come together as a team and to be able to come down here and have the opportunity to serve as a team and do something outside of sports," said Martin Smuin, Lone Peak Football team coach.

Every Sunday the hungry line up in Pioneer Park for a good, hot meal, maybe their only meal for the day. Fill the Pot Ministry was started by Reverend J. Ragsdale several years ago when one of his own family members ended up here, homeless at Pioneer Park. Now, every month his ministry feeds at least 1,000 people.

"We have to give back some time cause if we just take take and take and never give back, what growth do we have?" said Reverend J. Ragsdale of Fill the Pot Ministry.

And every month volunteers like Riley and his team set up tables, tents and stoves. They trade hard hits for hair nets and pull together for a different cause.

"Our boys are so blessed and they have everything and they need to see that other people have hard times in their life," said Stefanie Richards, a mother of one of the team members.

If you would like to volunteer your time or would like to donate food, clothing, blankets or toys or to get more information about Fill the Pot, you can contact Toni Ragsdale at 801-513-0163. You can also call Calvary Baptist Church and leave a message at 801-355-1025.

Email:manderson@ksl.com.

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