“I always place everything right down the middle,” Powell said, half-joking, but equally serious. “I put the turkey face up because you don’t want it to roll when the car moves.”
By his own admission, Powell treats groceries just like he does basketball. He’s focused, detailed and efficient. He’s also a whiz at the self-check out line.
“Oh yeah, I’m the best,” Powell said. These tidbits matter because it helps one understand why the NBA vet finds so much joy in giving out Thanksgiving groceries to families in need each year. If not for basketball, it might be his calling.
“It’s really about the people,” he said, with a big smile, “but I want them to know they matter, so we take pride in even loading up their groceries.”
Powell, along with Dallas Mavs players Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee and Frank Ntilikina, stood in cold, damp conditions Monday afternoon to dish out 250 meals to families in need. They were jovial and upbeat, thankful to usher in the Mavs Season of Giving.
“The community does so much for us, so to be able to give back in any way is really what this job is all about,” Powell said. “So, we are very blessed and grateful to have this opportunity.”
The Mavs Turkey Giveaway, in partnership with Kroger, is part of the Mavs Care and NBA Cares Season of Giving; teams around the league aim to brighten the holiday season for thousands of children and families.
The Mavs turkey event takes place annually at Buckner International.
Connie Smith was the first person in line this year. She arrived overnight after borrowing a car from a neighbor. She’s on dialysis and says she’s lost everything, so the groceries are needed right now.
Smith said the first time she arrived they told her it was way too early. So she came back a couple hours later and waited during the night.
“Money is so tight for me that I was willing to sacrifice and stay here all night for this food,” Smith said.
“I had to time it right so the gas would last. I was cold at times…but I also knew how important this food was for me. So I was willing to just wait.”
By the time the Mavs arrived, she was weary and exhausted, but very thankful.
“It’s hard right now, it’s really hard,” Smith said, with tears streaming down her eyes as she shared her story.
“I just thank God that I’m still here because I’ve been through the storm. Every time I went through surgeries last year, they said I wasn’t going to make it, but I’m here. I’m still here. Sometimes I don’t even have enough strength to pull myself up, but then I see glimpses of light during moments like this.”
Smith’s story paints a vibrant portrait of people in the community. They live with such tenacity and hope even during tough times.
Hardaway says this is exactly why he volunteers each year. He loves to hear the stories and see the smiles of the people.
“Today is great, it’s awesome,” said Hardaway Jr., who dismissed the windchill because it’s “all worth it.” He said the weather is nothing compared to what these families endure each day.
“This is definitely something that’s been marked on my calendar ever since I did this event in the past,” Hardaway said. “So it’s great to be out in the cold and rain and giving back. It’s all worth it.”
With the help of Kroger, volunteers put together bags of groceries for each family full of stuffing, macaroni & cheese, sweet potatoes, marshmallows, and corn. And, of course, a turkey.
“We get the cars ready to go, trunks popped,” said Powell. “You got a number on the dash and we fill them up!”
McGee was also pumped to be back in the community. It’s a family thing. Over the weekend, his Olympic gold medalist mother, Pamela McGee, spoke to young athletes at the Mavs Fall Classic.
“She’s so inspirational,” McGee said. “My mom doesn’t even realize it, but she is.”
Nor does JaVale realize the impact he’s had on the city since arriving back with Dallas. He’s volunteered at three major community events already and he shows no signs of stopping now.
“I love Thanksgiving,” he said. “I’m a stuffing person. With Thanksgiving, we can all find common ground and that’s what makes this a great event. Everyone loves food.”
Buckner International is a global faith-based ministry dedicated to transforming and restoring the lives of vulnerable kids, families, and seniors. The COVID-19 crisis, followed by a surge in grocery and food prices, has made the work at Buckner more critical than ever.
The 250 families served Monday received a frozen turkey, green beans, whole kernel corn, mashed potatoes, mini marshmallows, stuffing, 100-percent pure pumpkin, jellied cranberry, yams, cake mix, frosting and reusable bags provided by Kroger.
Volunteers with the Mavericks, Buckner International, and Kroger were smiling ear-to-ear, thankful to serve North Texas families and bring holiday cheer to food-insecure families.
“We love interacting with the families when they get their meals,” said Hannah Sherertz with the Dallas Mavs. “It’s special to know that they’re going to take them home and have a great Thanksgiving Day and tip-off the holiday season with us.”
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