Care Bears: Maryland Black Bears Hockey Team Are Changemakers

What do you get when you cover six black bears in Old Bay, pair them with four zebras, and put them on 88,000 pounds of ice?

Thousands of meals for hungry neighbors – but not quite how you may be thinking!

Since 2023, the Maryland Black Bears junior hockey team have been supporting their neighbors in need by partnering with two local icons (Old Bay Seasoning from McCormick & Company and Route One Apparel) to support another, the Maryland Food Bank!

Each year, the players wear custom-made, Old Bay themed jerseys (during a game overseen by four black & white striped referees), which are then auctioned off to hockey fans who want to support food access in their community.

“Wearing the Old Bay specialty jersey was a cool experience. Growing up in Maryland, Old Bay has always been a family staple, and I love putting it on everything,” said Tommy Holtby, a Forward for the Maryland Black Bears.

And thousands of families statewide will have easier access to nutritious food and a better chance to thrive, due to the generosity of the Maryland Black Bears, McCormick, and Route One Apparel.