PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies ace Aaron Nola helped the organization kick off the 2019 Phans Feeding Families campaign on Thursday morning in Philadelphia.

One day after racking up six strikeouts in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Tigers, Nola had a different kind of strikeout in mind after being named ambassador for the annual event at Philabundance, the Delaware Valley's largest hunger relief organization.

• Philabundance photo gallery

"I’m just glad to lend my name as an ambassador to help Philabundance strike out hunger," Nola said. "I drive past this place every day on the way to the stadium, but it's so much bigger than I thought. Being here really puts it in perspective what Philabundance is about, and how many children and families this helps every year."

The initiative, which began in 2011, has generated approximately $500,000, leading to more than a million meals for families in need. The Phillies plan to help add to that total in a number of ways this season with the help of their fans.

• Official press release

First, fans can bid on a variety of memorabilia during the Phillies Charities, Inc. Auction, held exclusively on the MLB Ballpark App through May 31. All available items -- including signed memorabilia from Nola, Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, Jimmy Rollins and plenty of other current and former Phillies -- will be on display at the First Base Gate Plaza from May 3-5 and again from May 18-19.

Next, the team will host the Phans Feeding Families Day & Food Drive during its June 8 game against the Reds. The Phillies will donate $8 to Philabundance for every special theme night ticket sold to the game.

Fans are encouraged to bring a donation of non-perishable food items, but they can also purchase food for families in need at a special GIANT Food Stores location that will be set up on Citizens Bank Way. Anyone who donates or purchases food will be given an $8 ticket voucher to select 2019 games.

“We’re honored to host the ninth annual Phans Feeding Families Day at Citizens Bank Park,” said Phillies executive vice president David Buck, who joined Nola at Thursday's event. “Thanks to Aaron Nola, our fans and corporate partners, we hope to strike out hunger and provide much-needed food for families struggling to afford the next meal.”

Along with those efforts, a portion of the 50/50 raffle from the June 8 game will benefit Philabundance. Fans can also make a donation through Philabundance.org or spread awareness for the cause by using #PhansFeed on social media.

To help get things started, Citizens Bank presented a $40,000 check to kick off the 2019 campaign.

“We love the Philadelphia Phillies," said Daniel Fitzpatrick, president of Citizens Bank for the Mid-Atlantic Region. "We love the Phillies on the field, but we really, really appreciate the Phillies in the community. Nobody is better in the community than the Philadelphia Phillies, so we want to thank a great organization, with great leadership, and a great team, including Aaron Nola.”

Nola said he is looking forward to working with many of the volunteers at Philabundance, and hopes that fans can not only fill Citizens Bank Park for the June 8 game, but also contribute to the cause in any way possible throughout the season.

“No child should ever go to bed hungry,” Nola said. “The Phans Feeding Families initiative is a very important one as it helps so many families put food on the table. I encourage our fans to join the Phillies, Citizens Bank and Philabundance as we do all that we can to make a difference to those who need it most.”