On Thursday morning, November 9, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation held its Fall Food Drive. Dirk, Jessica and their children were on hand helping pass out turkeys, food boxes, cases of water and more to help 1,000 families in the coming holiday weeks. The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation hosted and fully funded the event, which was held at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center in South Dallas.

Each meal pack served up to six people and included a whole turkey, a variety of sides, fresh vegetables, stuffing mix, pies, milk and more along with extra pantry items, gift cards and vouchers. In addition, 100 meals were delivered to families and senior citizens who reside in the Kiest Park neighborhoods.

»The Foundation started getting involved in food drives during the pandemic,« said Dirk Nowitzki. »We saw that there was an incredible need for the most basic of needs. Unfortunately, things haven’t improved for a lot of families, so this is certainly one way we can help in the community.«

The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation also donated embroidered blankets to participating families as winter weather approaches.

The event was held in partnership with the Dallas Tennis Association’s philanthropic arm, the Dallas Tennis and Education Academy (DTEA). The crown jewel of the DTEA is the Nowitzki Excellence Team, a group of 24 students who excel in academics and tennis at the highest level.

»Giving back to the community is a core value of DTEA – so we are thrilled to be participating in the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Fall Food Drive,« said Bert Cole, Director of the DTEA.

Students from the tennis center joined Dirk and his family the night before the event. The group of volunteers spent hours packing up meal boxes and getting organized for the extremely busy and successful morning.

Local law enforcement and first responders were also on hand volunteering their time to help the event run efficiently as hundreds of cars came through to receive the baskets.

»We couldn’t have done this without all the volunteers. The Kiest tennis players came out last night and helped pack all the boxes, and then today all the first responders who came out today to help. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support we received.«