'Thrive Night' Celebrates Disability Advocates At WooSox Game

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Tuesday's Worcester Red Sox game will double as a occasion to recognize disability advocates working for the nonprofit Thrive Support & Advocacy. Fans can also brings food donations to Tuesday's game to give to Thrive's new Worcester-based food pantry.

Here's more from a Thrive news release:

Thrive Support & Advocacy, a nonprofit empowering youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Central Massachusetts, has teamed up with the Worcester Red Sox for “Thrive Night” at Polar Park on Aug. 29 to recognize disability advocates and benefit the Flourish at Thrive food pantry.

Thrive’s Self-Advocates Group will be recognized during pre-game ceremonies. Fans coming to the game against the Norfolk Tides are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Flourish at Thrive. Volunteers from Definitive Healthcare will be collecting donations on the DCU Common prior to the game. The WooSox are also donating a portion of ticket sales purchased through this link to the food pantry.

“The individuals in our Self-Advocates Group are great ambassadors for Thrive and we appreciate the opportunity to introduce our programs to a wider audience,” Thrive President and CEO Sean Rose said. "The WooSox and Polar Park have been great community partners from the start it’s going to be a fun night out for the individuals we serve.

"The donations of non-perishable food items will give a much-needed boost to the Flourish at Thrive food pantry, as well," Rose added, noting that food donations are typically lower during the summer months but demand remains constant.

Thrive’s 15-member Self-Advocates Group meets monthly to learn about, discuss and promote advocacy and other activities that foster community inclusion, independence, skill building and self-confidence. They have taken part or led projects like collecting non-perishable food in Marlborough for Thrive Thanksgiving baskets that were delivered to more than 100 families last year.

The Flourish at Thrive food pantry opened in the fall of 2022 to help meet the health needs of individuals served by Thrive. In addition to traditional non-perishable food items, such as cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, canned tuna, rice and pasta, the food pantry also stocks allergen-free, soy-free and nut-free items as well as other items for specialized diets.