AD Franch Loves Trees, And So Do We!
That’s why we are partnering this season.
“I know what it’s like growing up with not a lot to eat, so having access to free food is really important to the world, I believe ”
AD Franch, goalkeeper for the Kansas City Current women’s soccer team, loves growing fruit and loves her community, and that’s why she has partnered with The Giving Grove to plant orchards through her “Playing for Trees” campaign! The Giving Grove supports neighborhood volunteers in planting and caring for fruit trees, nut trees, and berry brambles that improve the urban environment, increase tree canopy and provide a sustainable source of free, organically-grown food for neighborhoods facing high rates of food insecurity.
Earlier this year, AD announced a campaign to donate 7 fruit trees for every shutout, 1 berry bramble for every save, and 1 nut tree for every team goal – resulting in more than 60 fruit trees, nut trees and berry brambles donated by AD for community orchards!
The Kansas City Current, Blue KC and AD’s fans matched her donations, creating a big impact across The Giving Grove network.
Interested in joining AD to create big impact through little orchards? Sign up here to volunteer in a Kansas City Giving Grove orchard, in collaboration with Kansas City Community Gardens, or use this page to find an orchard near you.
You can also quickly donate to a community orchard in honor of AD using this link.
“I am thoroughly excited about the partnership with Giving Grove. Through the ‘Playing For Trees’ campaign, we’re addressing food inequities and ensuring local communities have access to fresh produce.”
AD’s Playing for Trees campaign is in partnership with One Tree Planted and Players for the Planet.
Each tree has a BIG impact!
30-50 years
Lifespan of the average fruit tree
13,685
Potential servings grown over the tree’s lifespan
400
Pounds of carbon sequestered
$11,495
Economic value of free, organically-grown fruit
To learn more about The Giving Grove impact and to get involved, click here.
Blue KC kicks up the impact!
In support of AD’s campaign, The Kansas City Current matched donations from AD and her fans to The Giving Grove, doubling the impact of their gifts. The Current also provided volunteers for a local Giving Grove orchard during Hunger Action Month and created a video about the partnership.
Blue KC (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City), founding partner and the official insurance provider for the Current, donated $3,200 to The Giving Grove in honor of AD’s 2022 season. The Giving Grove is one of Blue KC’s Well Stocked partners, an initiative to increase food access and reduce food insecurity in Kansas City.
“We’re excited to support the Current, AD and The Giving Grove in their work to plant life-giving trees throughout our community.”