HOUSTON – Yesterday the Astros opened up their home, Minute Maid Park, to 20 families who are transitioning out of homelessness and into self-sufficiency. The families enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, a tour of the ballpark, running of the bases and the opportunity to meet and get autographs from Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, Jeff Bagwell and manager, Brad Mills.

In partnership with HomeAid Houston the event, called Take A Minute, marked the beginning of national Hunger & Homelessness  Awareness Week and promoted the simple message that it only takes a minute to help make a difference in the effort to end hunger and homelessness in Houston. The Astros players recorded public service announcements that support the cause and encourage people to get involved.

“The Astros organization is very aware of the impact hunger and homelessness has on thousands of people every day in Houston,” said Marian Harper, vice president of the Astros In Action Foundation.

“Our goal with the Take a Minute day at Minute Maid Park was to draw attention to their struggles and to ask Houstonians to Take a  Minute to rethink what homelessness really looks like and what we can all do to help.”

Astros in the Community

The Houston Astros consider being a meaningful part of the community just as important as throwing strikes and hitting home runs. Throughout the year, Astros players, broadcasters, alumni and staff partner with a myriad of non-profit and civic groups around the region to help make the community a better place to live.

The Astros In Action Foundation has been “Fielding the Dreams of Houston” since it was established in 2000, during the Astros inaugural season at Minute Maid Park. The mission of the foundation is to use the strength of the National Pastime to enhance the quality of life in the community through educational, health, and spiritual endeavors. During the past nine years, the Astros In Action Foundation has helped thousands of community groups and organizations throughout the Houston area. For more information on the team’s community outreach efforts visit www.astros.com/community.