Big Train Celebrate National Hot Dog Day, Welcome Manna Food Center

Max's Best Ice Cream by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Although the Bethesda Big Train's contest against the Olney Cropdusters was suspended in the third inning due to weather, there was still a lot of buzz at Shirley Povich Field on Wednesday. Yesterday was National Hot Dog Day, and the Big Train celebrated with its partner Catalyst Hot Dogs. The hot dog truck comes to every Big Train home game. The team also hosted the Manna Food Center. For each hot dog eaten, a certain dollar number would be raised for the Manna Food Center. Despite the game being halted in just the bottom of the third, there already had been 210 hot dogs consumed, and donations were off to a great start. 

Chris Van Jura runs the hot dog truck. He is very proud of their hot dogs and believes their standards are what sets them apart.  

“It’s the quality of our hot dogs,” Van Jura said. “We use a premium black angus, dry-aged, all-beef hot dog made by Roseda Farm.”

Chris Van Jura by Mark Thalman

Former Montgomery County Council Member Craig Rice was at Shirley Povich Field. He was there on behalf of the Manna Food Center. Rice explained that they distribute food, but they also have their own food pantry. The pantry gives people the opportunity to come and pick out their own items free of charge. Rice also explained that they also help advocate for the people that need it. 

“We advocate for better policies to help families to make sure they get out of the situation that creates food insecurity, [which] is larger than just about food,” Rice said. “Food has always been an instrumental part of understanding that nourishment is needed to be able to fire on all cylinders.”

In addition to hosting Manna Food Center, the Big Train welcomed Nesfield Performance, another organization that focuses on optimizing one’s body and health. Founder Tiffany Nesfield joined the company on Wednesday. They offer services like personal training and physical therapy among others. 

“Everyone is an athlete,” Nesfield said. “Whether they’re trying to get to their work, whether they’re doing activities, playing with their grandkids or they’re trying to play a sport, we have to move well.”

In high school, Nesfield was an intern for a physical therapy company. She saw a client had a bunch of people they were seeing, but the protocols for each were different. She wanted to centralize the entire process, so everyone would be on the same page. 

“I realize for our client care, we need to have professionals working together,” Nesfield said. “I’m really big on community. We care about who our clients are and how we can better our services.”

Cory Alexander is the co-founder of Max’s Best Ice Cream. The ice cream parlor shows up at nearly every Big Train home game. 

“We always wanted to create a world class ice cream experience,” Alexander said. “We felt that Bethesda didn’t have the kind of ice cream experience it deserved.”

Alexander is really proud of "creating job opportunities for individuals with special needs.” The company partners with Best Buddies International. The shop provides extreme milkshakes. Alexander believes these milkshakes help set them apart. 

Chelsi Rose was present on behalf of Lafayette Federal Credit Union. It’s a financial institution that provides many services for its customers. 

“We do everything commercial banks do, but as a credit union, you are a member with us, which means you are a part owner of the credit union,” Rose said. 

Lafayette Federal Credit Union by Mark Thalman

Stacy Cantor represented Bethesda Magazine. She joined the news outlet because she wanted “to develop community relations.” Cantor believes being immersed within the area makes them unique.

“Trusted journalism sets us apart,” Cantor said. “The focus is on local news in a very positive light.”

Cantor said she has come to Big Train games for over a decade. She loves that the Big Train also supports the local community. 

Rose also acknowledged that the Big Train means a lot to the community. It has built deep ties within the area. 

“The Big Train has such a strong history in the area,” Rose said. “We love to be a part of the history that the community has.”

Rice emphasized the importance of having healthy school meals. He explained that food impacts one’s ability to perform at any age, whether that’s on the diamond, in school or at the office. 

“If we want to live long healthy lives, we have to be able to eat well,” Rice said. “For us to accomplish anything, it has to come through food.”

Craig Rice (middle) and Manna Food Center by Mark Thalman

Van Jura always looks forward to the Big Train starting their season. It’s one of the highlights of the entire year and allows him and Catalyst Hot Dogs to give people the food they love. 

“Summertime is hot dog season,” Van Jura said. “We always look forward to National Hot Dog Day because it coincides with the Big Train season. [We enjoy] bringing the glory of the hot dog to everybody.”

The Big Train will be back in action when they host the Southern Maryland Senators today at 7 p.m.