Drive to End Hunger Goes on the Basketball Court

by Bob Somerville, AARP Foundation

The North Texas Food Bank, Dallas Mavericks, and AARP Foundation are teaming up help fight senior hunger

The Drive to End Hunger team won’t just be at the Texas Motor Speedway on the first weekend in November when four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon continues his Chase for the Sprint Cup. They’ll be driving down a basketball lane too, as AARP Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks and the North Texas Food Bank team up for a meal-packing event on Friday, November 1, and a check presentation at halftime of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies game on Saturday.

In the ongoing effort to end older adult hunger, these organizations will host volunteers at the American Airlines Center, home court for the Mavericks, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday; these willing hands will pack 100,000 meals that will go to feed hungry seniors in North Texas. Children from a nearby school will also be dropping by on a field trip, with donations of nonperishable foods. And on Saturday, AARP Foundation will present a check for $65,000 to the North Texas Food Bank, which serves 13 counties in the Dallas area.

“Being part of this initiative with the Dallas Mavericks and the North Texas Food Bank means that more adults age 50+ who struggle with hunger will get access to the food they need,” said AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins. “This event will help shine a spotlight on the issue of hunger that nearly 9 million people 50+ face every day.”

“We are honored to partner with AARP and the North Texas Food Bank to help end hunger among older adults who are in need of a meal,” said Mavs owner Mark Cuban. “Anytime we can help bring to light a great cause like this and make a difference in our community, we are more than happy to participate.”

The weekend’s events culminate with race day on Sunday, when Jeff Gordon hopes to bring the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS into victory lane. If you live in the Dallas area, you can still register for the meal-packing event and do your part to help older adults in your community.