New Orleans Pelicans, JJ and Chelsea Redick, and Lineage Logistics partner to bring meals and jobs to local community

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans and JJ & Chelsea Redick announced a partnership with Lineage Logistics, the world’s largest and most innovative provider of temperature-controlled food logistics, to provide meals and jobs to the New Orleans community.

The Pelicans, the Redicks and Lineage announced a donation through Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, to support Second Harvest Food Bank, a local nonprofit organization leading the fight against hunger in South Louisiana by providing food and support to 700+ community partners and programs across 23 parishes. The donation will provide more than 1.8 million meals to those in need throughout the New Orleans community in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pelicans and Lineage, which acquired New Orleans Cold Storage in January 2020, are also collaborating with ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management and services company and the operator of the Smoothie King Center on behalf of the State of Louisiana and LSED, to offer employment opportunities to displaced Smoothie King Center employees who are unable to work due to the suspension of the NBA season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to an Arena Assistance Fund established by Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson for those who are impacted by the NBA postponement of games, Lineage is committed to offering Smoothie King Center staff members additional employment opportunities by introducing them to available warehouse jobs in which Lineage is hiring in the New Orleans area.

“We have a great history in New Orleans of overcoming adversity by pulling together as a community and supporting our neighbors,” said Mrs. Benson. “This is another great example of people and organizations uniting to help those who are in need by both providing meals and creating additional employment opportunities. I am so appreciative of the leadership JJ and Chelsea have shown and to the Lineage Logistics team for their efforts to help those who help make our games such a special experience.”

“Chelsea and I are so grateful to the New Orleans community for graciously welcoming our family with open arms,” said JJ Redick. “We feel incredibly fortunate to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank in order to provide meals to individuals and families that need them during this difficult time. We would also like to thank the team at Lineage Logistics for offering their resources to bring additional meals and jobs to the New Orleans area.”

“The devastation caused by COVID-19 means that Lineage’s services are in extreme demand as we work to keep food on the shelves in communities across the United States,” said Kevin Marchetti, Co-Executive Chairman of the Lineage Board of Directors. “In the face of crisis, we are proud to be able to provide opportunities for people who are facing income loss to join the Lineage family and help us ensure families across New Orleans have food to eat.”

Lineage Logistics’ Share A Meal campaign aims to help provide 100 million meals in response to COVID-19 to help ensure no family or child goes hungry during this global pandemic. Those who wish to contribute can join the Share A Meal effort and support Feeding America/Second Harvest Food Bank by visiting https://no-hunger.org/pelicans