SALT LAKE CITY (November 25, 2013) – The Utah Jazz will host the 15th annual ‘We Care - We Share’ Thanksgiving Dinner area for homeless and low-income residents at EnergySolutions Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m -2 p.m.
In collaboration with the Salt Lake City Mission and Utah Food Services, the Jazz -- led by the Miller family, players, coaching staff and employees -- will roll up their sleeves and serve a complete Thanksgiving meal to thousands of residents in need. The annual event is part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving and demonstrates the team’s ongoing commitment to hands-on service and year-round community outreach.
Jazz players, including Rudy Gobert, Enes Kanter and John Lucas III, along with coaches, executives and employees, will help serve more than 3,600 guests a warm meal. The event will also feature a winter clothing distribution and a play area for children, equipped with games and other fun activities. The Zone Sports Network will be present for the event via a live radio remote from the concourse.
“The annual Thanksgiving Dinner is a special event featuring fellowship and warm meals, and one that our organization looks forward to every year,” said Steve Miller, President of Miller Sports Properties. “Our hope is that this event provides children and families with a small respite from their daily challenges. This community has given our family so much, and we feel it is our obligation to do what we can to reciprocate by helping our neighbors in need.”
“We’ve seen a big increase in homelessness in Salt Lake City area, particularly among children, and the need for support is at an all-time high,” said Pastor Wayne Wilson, CEO of Salt Lake City Mission. “This annual Thanksgiving Dinner shows these individuals that they are loved and provides them with hope and encouragement as they work to overcome difficult circumstances.”
This marks the first of many Utah Jazz holiday community outreach events. As part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving, the entire Jazz organization will spend time giving back to the community and brightening the holidays for thousands of local children and families in need through a variety of hands-on service activities. Additional outreach events will include Bear Hugs for Kids holiday shopping for youngsters throughout Utah, hospital visits by Jazz players and coaching staff, a holiday visit to a local Air Force base, the 29th annual Christmas Carole Sing-Along, and much more.