Las Vegas’ most famous baseball player is joining the fight against the coronavirus.
Phillies outfielder and Las Vegas High School alumnus Bryce Harper announced today that he and his wife, Kayla, are donating a combined $500,000 to Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas and Philabundance, a food bank in Philadelphia.
“Las Vegas will always be my family’s first home,” Harper said in a statement, while also acknowledging Philadelphia. “These communities mean so much to us, and Kayla and I want to do our part to help battle the effects of the virus in Vegas and Philly.”
Three Square has more than 40 emergency food distribution sites around Las Vegas and donates about 50 million pounds of food a year, according to its website. It has also accepted donations from major casino companies in recent weeks.
Harper was born and raised in Las Vegas and played baseball at Las Vegas High, where a field now bears his name. He went on to play at the College of Southern Nevada before he was selected with the first pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.
He lives in the Las Vegas area in the offseason and is a big Golden Knights fan.
“NOW is the time to come together and adhere to the guidelines of medical professionals!” Harper wrote in his statement. “We are wishing the best to all with our prayers during this time.”