Eagles combine with San Diego not-for-profit to prepare over 700 meals

USA Women’s Eagles Sevens stars packed over 700 meals for people fighting critical illnesses in San Diego.

The team got hands on with not-for-profit organisation Mama’s Kitchen, who provide medically tailored meals to ensure that people in the California city experiences a health crisis and hunger simultaneously.

On their visit to Mama’s Kitchen, in which the squad were able to proactively embody their “inspiring through action” principle, players also got to give back to their local community.

“As a team, we’re committed to inspiring through our actions and empowering our communities, especially here in San Diego, where we live and train,” Autumn LoCicero said.

“This block, we made it a priority to reach out, give back, and connect with our community. Serving others isn’t separate from our game; it’s part of our Highwoman identity and fuels the same heart we bring to every match.”

Mama’s Kitchen was established in 1990 as a response to San Diego caregivers concerned about neighbours affected by the AIDS epidemic.

Today they provide nutritional support to those facing HIV, cancer, heart disease, type two diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Since they were established Mama’s Kitchen estimate that they have delivered over 12 million meals for those in need.

LoCicero was able to draw parallels between the compassion of Mama’s Kitchen and the USA Women’s Eagles Sevens squad’s identity as elite athletes.

“Mama’s Kitchen provides meals for people fighting serious health battles, and we were proud to support a business started by a Highwoman making such a difference,” LoCicero added.

“As athletes, we felt a real connection to their mission. Packing over 700 meals reminded us that strength isn’t just physical, it’s caring for others and lifting up our community.

“Serving alongside them lets us live our purpose of inspiring through action and giving back to San Diego, the place we call home.”

Heading into the Vancouver stop and their home leg in New York, Emilie Bydwell’s team are currently third overall in the HSBC SVNS Series standings.

Remarkably the side have not finished on the podium so far this campaign, but have had three fourth-place finishes in Cape Town, Singapore and Perth. Their worst finish was fifth-place in Dubai.