Fun, Charity at Moorestown Youth Soccer Kickoff

Soccer season in Moorestown kicks off (an unavoidable pun—sorry) soon, with an event geared toward fun and charity.

Children (and their families) registered for township-sponsored soccer this season are invited to Jeff Young Park on Sunday, Sept. 15, to find out their team and coaching assignments and participate in a sports equipment swap—bring your own "gently used" items, and exchange with others—and food drive.

Live Civilly co-founder Kahra Buss helped organize the kickoff event last year and said it was very successful, with roughly 600 soccer players and their families flooding the field. 

Buss said soccer registration last season increased 45 percent from 2011—"a huge, huge jump for the (parks and recreation) department"—and it's likely the numbers will be just as high this year.

"I have no doubt we'll have upwards of 500 kids enrolled (when the season begins)," she said. 

That's great news for the food drive, which took in nearly 700 pounds of food at last year's kickoff. All the food went to the Live Civilly/Moorestown Ministerium food pantry.

It's particularly important this year, Buss said, as an increase in the number of people visiting the food pantry over the summer, coupled with a dip in donations, has created a huge need.

"(The food drive) has been a huge help," she said. 

The soccer kickoff event will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Jeff Young Memorial Park (New Albany and North Lenola roads). Bring non-perishable items for the food drive. Each team member will receive their schedule, a T-shirt and a practice schedule.

The deadline to register for soccer is 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9.

The Live Civilly/Moorestown Ministerium food pantry runs out of St. Matthew Lutheran Church (318 Chester Ave.) on the first and third Monday of every month, from 12-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.