Logan Stankoven laced up his skates not for a game, but for a cause—standing alongside defenseman Jaccob Slavin and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh to silence hunger one meal at a time. The Carolina Hurricanes stars didn’t just show up; they helped raise $25,000 for the Goal to End Hunger Challenge, a milestone reached just Wednesday morning, adding to a wave of support during one of the region’s most pressing hunger crises in over a decade.
With food insecurity climbing and summer stretching ahead, the timing couldn’t be more critical. One in five children across the food bank’s 35-county service area now face uncertain access to meals, a reality made worse as school cafeterias close and grocery bills rise. Amy Beros, president and CEO of the Food Bank, put it plainly: families are now scrambling to add 10 extra meals per child each week—on budgets already stretched thin. That’s where the Hurricanes stepped in, not just with visibility, but with tangible impact.
The campaign launched at the start of the Stanley Cup series, harnessing the momentum of the team’s deep playoff run. Beyond the players’ $25,000 fundraising success, the Hurricanes organization itself made a powerful statement by presenting a $50,000 grant directly on the ice during Game 2. Every dollar counts triple: each one funds three meals for children, veterans, seniors, and working families. That means the team’s combined effort will deliver a staggering 225,000 meals—150,000 from the Hurricanes’ grant and 75,000 from the players’ campaign.
For Slavin and Stankoven, both known for their quiet leadership on the ice, this off-ice play speaks volumes. They didn’t just lend their names—they leaned into the mission, rallying fans and reminding the community that hunger doesn’t take a break, even in championship season. Their effort shines a light on the growing need, especially during summer months when federal school meal programs pause, leaving many children without a reliable source of nutrition.
The victory isn’t just in the dollars raised, but in the awareness sparked. The Goal to End Hunger Challenge remains open to public donations, inviting every fan to be part of the solution. As the final siren sounded on the campaign’s goal, it wasn’t an end—it was a call to keep playing. Because in the fight against hunger, every assist matters, and every meal counts.