Masterson expands Feed Their Future to St. Louis, Allen Steps up to the plate in Cleveland

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cody Allen, relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, has joined with Bright Hope and Moody Radio Cleveland for Feed Their Future 2014. The summer campaign exists to provide meals and education to children in Mathare Valley, a slum in Nairobi, Kenya.

Allen, who has three years of experience in MLB and a 2.57 career ERA, believes in seizing every opportunity to live out his faith. He decided to partner with Bright Hope and Moody Radio Cleveland for Feed Their Future after he became aware of it through conversations with Justin Masterson. "I'm excited to contribute to a greater purpose by partnering with Bright Hope and Moody Radio Cleveland to bring meals and education to children that need it," explained Allen. "Every child deserves a chance for something as basic as a meal and schooling."

In such extreme poverty, families in Mathare Valley often must choose between sending a child to school or to the streets to beg for food. Support raised through this campaign eases the burden on parents to not have to make such a choice. Bright Hope, an organization that serves the extreme poor, will feed and educate 1,400 students in four schools, support their teachers, and promote local sustainability initiatives through the local church.

"It is an honor for Bright Hope to have such talented and faith-driven athletes as a part of the Bright Hope team," said C.H. Dyer, Bright Hope President and CEO. "They are dedicated and determined to help us bring Hope to the Mathare Valley slum in Nairobi and we are thankful for their support."

Masterson, who joined Feed Their Future for a second consecutive year, was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30. Still an official member of the Feed Their Future team, Masterson is planning to travel with Bright Hope to Nairobi again in November. Masterson joined Feed Their Future with a desire to see his faith lived out in his everyday life.

"When I visited Nairobi last year, I saw the incredible, positive effects that Bright Hope's partnership with the local church has on poor communities," Masterson said. "It's an honor to be a part of Feed Their Future to not only provide two daily meals and an education to a child, but to know we are literally changing the future for these children."

Due to the generosity of Bright Hope supporters, last year's campaign exceeded its $140,000 goal and raised close to $200,000. This year, the campaign, also supported by Moody Radio Cleveland, will continue through Labor Day with a monetary goal of $250,000 to bring Hope to children in Mathare Valley.

For more information about the Feed Their Future campaign, please visit the Feed Their Future website.

About Bright Hope
Bright Hope's mission is to bring Hope to those living on less than $1 a day. Bright Hope envisions a world where under-resourced local, in-country churches transform their communities and bring Hope to the extreme poor. To learn more about Bright Hope please visit www.BrightHope.org.

SOURCE Bright Hope