As G Joel Bitonio helped stuff grocery bags with turkeys and hams, Cleveland neighbors shopped for Thanksgiving needs at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center.

On Nov. 25, Browns players, alumni and staff along with members of Stripes United — comprised of coaches' and players' significant others— and Sugardale representatives were at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank assisting neighbors in shopping for free Thanksgiving food ahead of the holiday. The Browns have partnered with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to package and distribute food before Thanksgiving since 2006, marking the 20^th year of the event.

"It's a really incredible time for all of us when we're able to come to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank," Browns Vice President of Community Relations Jenner Tekancic said. "To know we're able to impact local neighbors and help provide a memorable holiday for them means the world to us."

The Browns 2025 rookie class took on different roles throughout the event. RB Dylan Sampson was among those who helped neighbors with their shopping for Thanksgiving items around the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center. DT Mason Graham and QB Dillon Gabriel assisted with loading cars with the groceries. QB Shedeur Sanders and DT Adin Huntington handed out turkey and ham at the checkout lane.

Browns veterans and alumni including Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic and former TE Travis Tucker assisted with various tasks during one-hour blocks throughout the afternoon.

"I've been doing this for most of my career and it's just a great time to get out here and try to help the food bank," Bitonio said. "A lot of people are fighting for food and hungry and anytime you get a chance to help, it's a pretty special experience."

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank helped more than 500 families at the event, according to Karen Pozna, the Director of Communications at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. These neighbors are a part of the over 400,000 people that the Greater Cleveland Food Bank will help throughout 2025. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank supported more than 400,000 people last year across the six counties they serve and are expected to have aided just as many in 2025.

"We want to make sure that everyone who is in need has a great Thanksgiving meal that they're able to sit down with their family and enjoy," Pozna said. "We're thankful for the Browns organization who helps support those efforts."

As part of the event, Sugardale, the presenting partner for the 2025 Browns Give Back Cleveland Food Bank visit, donated 7,182 lbs. of ham, bacon, hot dogs and pepperoni. This is the third year Sugardale has partnered with the Browns for the visit. The Browns also donated $10,000 to provide turkeys.

"Sugardale extends our heartfelt thanks to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Cleveland Browns for their efforts in addressing food insecurity and ensuring families have access to nutritious meals," Sugardale Vice President of Marketing Rob Hite said. "We are proud to be a part of Thanksgiving at the Food Bank."

The Thanksgiving event is one of many events that the Browns and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a First and Ten community partner, host. They continue to collaborate to fight hunger and make sure families have access to nutritious meals year-round, especially during heightened times of need like the holidays.

Each year, the Browns and Greater Cleveland Food Bank partner for Taste of the Browns, which features Cleveland's top chefs and raises money and awareness to combat hunger in the local community. This past September, the 27th Annual Taste of the Browns was co-chaired by Bitonio, Browns Alumni Hanford Dixon and Chef Rocco Whalen of Fahrenheit and hosted at Huntington Bank Field. The event helped to raise enough funding to provide over 1 million meals across the Greater Cleveland community.

"The food bank is so grateful for our longtime partnership with the Browns," Pozna said. "They have supported us since they've been back in 1999. Not only volunteering, but this has also become an annual tradition here at the food bank where they volunteer right before Thanksgiving. The additional support that they've provided through Taste of the Browns, and just throughout the year. So, we're beyond grateful for their ongoing support and it hits right here at home for neighbors in need."

To learn more about the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and to become involved, visit their website.