For the second year in a row, Adam Cherry is using his right arm and a baseball to help Connecticut Food Bank “Strike Out Hunger.”

Cherry, a 17-year-old senior from Pomperaug High School, has been collecting monetary pledges for every batter he strikes out this season for the Pomperaug Panthers’ varsity baseball team. Proceeds from his unique fundraiser will benefit Connecticut Food Bank.

Last year, Cherry logged 50 strikeouts during the Panthers’ season, raising $3,570 for Connecticut Food Bank.

With that amount, Connecticut Food Bank officials said they were able to provide enough food for more than 12,000 meals for people in need.

Cherry wants to do better this year. The Panthers’ season began on April 7 at home and will run through the end of May.

“I would like to improve on what we started last year. We’ve only just begun, we just scratched the surface,” Cherry said. “I’ve seen so many people who are less fortunate through my various travels. Even some of my friends’ parents need help because they got laid off from their jobs.”

His parents, Maryanne and Jonathan, have always encouraged Adam and his younger brother, David, 15, to give back to the community. Maryanne Cherry called Adam’s fundraising idea a perfect match—marrying his passion for baseball with his desire to help people.

In preparation for the season, Cherry, who stands at a slim 6-foot-tall, threw on the side and lifted weights to strengthen his pitching arm. He said the speed of his fastball has improved to the high 80s or 90s.

“It feels like I’ve grown stronger and gotten faster,” said Cherry, who will be headed to La Salle University in Philadelphia after graduating from Pomperaug. He received a scholarship from the university and will be playing Division 1 baseball next spring.

As part of Adam Cherry’s fundraising campaign, he and his family will also collect non-perishable food items for Connecticut Food Bank during the team’s home games. For the team’s schedule, visit www.pomperaug.com/athletics/index.htm.

To support Cherry, e-mail him at strikeouthunger@yahoo.com. He will be collecting pledges through April.

To keep up with Cherry's progress, follow Connecticut Food Bank on twitter at www.twitter.com/ctfoodbank.