Eden Prairie, MN(October 14, 2015)** – The Minnesota Vikings will use this Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs as an opportunity to support the following women's causes:
Mamava Lactation Suites
As announced last month, the Vikings are the first NFL franchise to install Mamava lactation suites for nursing mothers in an NFL stadium. The team will unveil two pods with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:00 a.m. in the main concourse next to Gate A, where one of the two Mamava suites will be located for the remainder of the 2015 season. Mamava Co-Founder Sascha Mayer, along with Vikings representatives, will be present.
"Until now female NFL fans who have wanted privacy for feeding have had to nurse or pump in a bathroom, or worse yet, stay home due to the lack of amenities for nursing" said Mayer. "We believe that all mamas deserve a safe, clean and comfortable place to use a breast pump or breastfeed – anywhere, anytime. Mamava pods provide flexibility for facilities and easy access for moms."
Women's Products Gate Collection
In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in conjunction with Matter, a local non-profit, the Vikings will host a gate collection prior to Sunday's game to collect women's personal care products and cash donations for women's shelters in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., fans can drop off the following items at gates A through E or the Benton County gate:
• Feminine hygiene products
• Full-size shampoo, conditioner and body wash/soap (must be unused)
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Grocery story gift cards
• Larger-size diapers, pull-ups or other potty-training diapers
• Makeup/beauty products
A Crucial Catch Campaign
As part of the NFL's A Crucial Catch campaign to raise awareness and support in the fight against breast cancer, Vikings players, coaches and staff will wear pink gear during Sunday's game. All fans entering the stadium will receive pink ribbons from Zeta Tau Alpha volunteers, as well as a rally towel with the Crucial Catch logo. Prior to the game, Vikings Owner/Vice Chairman Leonard Wilf will present United Family Medicine with a $100,000 grant on behalf of the Vikings, the NFL Foundation and the American Cancer Society that will help the clinic increase its breast cancer screening rates (United Family Medicine is just one of 61 health centers across the country and the only clinic in Minnesota to be recognized as a National Quality Leader for exceeding national clinical quality benchmarks in a variety of areas.). Breast cancer survivor Janet Hoyde will also be recognized during the game.
