When a teammate is having an event, when a child isn't feeling well, when the Steelers need someone to step up and help out a good cause, offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum is always there.

He never says no, never turns down someone in need. He is there whether the team or a teammate is hosting an event, or whether he just finds something to be worthwhile and important.

And he always lends a hand with a smile on his face.

"That is my way of giving back," said Beachum. "God has given me a wonderful opportunity, a huge platform to be able to impact people's lives. The ability to do that with what God has given me is what I choose to do."

Beachum is your typical offensive lineman and that means one thing, he enjoys eating. But it saddens him that throughout many cities in the United States people go hungry every day. There are kids who go to bed hungry, seniors who have to choose paying the bills over paying for food, and families that no matter how hard they try to make ends meet, sometimes meals are skipped because there just isn't anything left at the end of the day to pay for food.

"I love to eat. I really love to eat," said Beachum. "There are people all across the world suffering from hunger, but there are people right here in Pittsburgh that need food. Back where I am from in Texas there are people that need food. I want to help those people, do what I can for them."

That is why Beachum has gotten involved with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. It gives him the avenue to help people where he works and lives.

"When I grew up I saw elderly people struggle a ton just with how the government allotted only certain money," said Beachum. "The fixed incomes only allow you to get a certain amount of what you need. To be able to give food to people who don't have it is something I take pride in. Like I said, I like to eat and I know others like to. If I can ever find ways to string together resources to help people enjoy the things in life I do, then I will do so."

Beachum, who is a spokesman for the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Council's Fuel Up to Play 60 program, has used that relationship to benefit the Food Bank, with the first step providing dairy products to them.  

"Everyone knows it takes a big man to play offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Kelvin Beachum has proven to be an even bigger man when it comes to helping those less fortunate," said Lisa Scales, President and CEO of the Food Bank. "His genuine concern for our community, demonstrated in his desire to help the Food Bank provide fresh milk to others, especially children, is both welcome and refreshing. 

"Having someone of Kelvin's stature be involved in a very direct, hands-on way is a great example for others.  Kelvin truly is a positive role model and a fine ambassador for the Steelers and all of Steelers Nation."

Through his role with Fuel Up to Play 60 Beachum also visits schools sharing the importance of good nutrition, in particular a good breakfast, and remaining active.

We are fortunate to have Kelvin Beachum as our Fuel Up to Play 60 NFL Ambassador. Aside from the importance of eating healthfully and being active, both of which are key to Fuel Up to Play 60, Kelvin addresses issues that go beyond leading a healthy lifestyle. When he speaks to students, it's obvious that respecting others, being a positive role model and assuming a leadership role are important to him. His comments impact students and adults alike."We are fortunate to have Kelvin Beachum as our Fuel Up to Play 60 NFL Ambassador," said Sharon Piano, program manager for Fuel Up to Play 60. "Aside from the importance of eating healthfully and being active, both of which are key to Fuel Up to Play 60, Kelvin addresses issues that go beyond leading a healthy lifestyle. When he speaks to students, it's obvious that respecting others, being a positive role model and assuming a leadership role are important to him. His comments impact students and adults alike."

Beachum is able to bring that message in a fun manner too, which always grabs the kid's attention.

"I enjoy being around kids and having fun," said Beachum. "Childhood obesity is something that is ravaging our country right now. With Fuel Up to Play 60 they have the chance to want to stay active and schools can keep the kids active. It's also about making healthy choices. The schools do a great job providing breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day. At the end of the first semester and second you have to make sure you have a good breakfast when you are in the testing period to be able to think.

"It is healthy eating. The one thing I learned in the NFL is if you want to play a long time in the NFL, nutrition has to be one of the spokes in the wheel. It's not easy. If it was easy everybody would do it. But it's vital and key to playing this game for a long time, and it's vital for kids."

Speaking of kids, like Beachum said he loves being around them and while many times it's at school visits, he also spends a lot of time at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, quietly visiting the patients with no fanfare, no cameras. It's just him walking around from room to room visiting patients, or hanging out with those who just came from outpatient surgery. It's just about him and the kids and he loves every minute of it.

"I like going there and just spending some quality time with the kids," said Beachum. "I have been to same day surgery where some of the kids are getting out of surgery. You just want to put a smile on their face."

There is one special patient who really has touched his heart. It's a young boy he met his rookie season and who basically had been hospitalized for the past three years. Beachum always stops by and visits him when he is at the hospital, the two forming a bond along the way.

"I go visit my little guy all of the time," said Beachum. "Going through what he is at such a young age is something that always touches my heart when I go and see him. I just want to go and spend time with him.

"We just formed a bond and stayed in touch. That was my rookie year I first met him, so it's been three years now. We have been staying in touch ever since then. Last time I went there he cried because I had to leave so I can tell the bond is starting to grow stronger. Every chance I have to go see him I do and spend quality time with him. It's a good relationship with the little man I have there.

"It has to be tough on him even though he doesn't understand what it is. All he knows are the nurses and his friends are the kids at the hospital. I just pray that his health continues to get better and one day soon he can get out, go home and enjoy all the things other kids are."

His visits change the lives of patients and families, brightening a day so much young patients go from feeling sick and alone to energetic and part of a bigger family.

"The patients and families at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC are part of Steelers Nation and when players like Kelvin Beachum take time out of their busy schedules to visit, it has a genuine impact," Marc Lukasiak, director of marketing and communications for Children's Hospital. "Kelvin has visited patients on many occasions, and over that time he's developed some strong friendships with some of our chronic patients. He spends time talking with families and really getting to know the patients, playing games and talking about their interests. He always has such a positive attitude when he visits with them and that really makes their time here a little brighter."

Beachum, who became a father just a few weeks ago, knows how blessed he is to have a healthy baby daughter and not a minute goes by that he isn't thankful for that.

"It makes you appreciate life to a greater extent," said Beachum. "It touches your heart in a deeper way."