The Center Table Event Shares a Community Harvest

Published November 16, 2021 at 12:51pm.
Story and photos by Jan Osborn.


For a second year, the Center Table Fall Harvest series—presented by The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation and The Heroes Foundation—kicked off Friday, November 12 at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. In partnership with the North Texas Food Bank and McDonald’s Owner/Operators of North Texas, the drive-up event handed out free food boxes and turkey vouchers for the first 500 families who registered prior to the event. Bringing the community together, with volunteers, business owners, and groups of first responders, is central to the annual event.

James Hill, Dallas Black Firefighters Retiree Association

Center Table launched in May 2020 to address the tough times many families have faced since the onset of the pandemic. In the past year, Center Table has provided more than 3,500 meals to families, including the distribution of 1,100 turkeys and 300 prepared meals during last year’s Thanksgiving week, and food and household items to nearly 200 families impacted by the May 14 tornado in Arlington.

Volunteers Rula Peinado and Gloria Jackson with the Hulk!

Charlie McKinney with Dirk Nowitzki.

“When the pandemic hit last year, we quickly saw the hardships that so many families faced,” said Trina Terrell-Andrews, CEO of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. “So we launched Center Table in May 2020 to not only help our neighbors but thank them—many who are frontline workers. As we continue to support our neighbors, we understand the increase in the cost of living continues to impact households, especially our senior citizens.”

Zekiah Bray, a community volunteer passing out milk.

The North Texas Food Bank delivery truck.

Jared Chenevert, The Bearded Chef directed traffic.

Charlie McKinney, Heroes Foundation Founder/Chairman, loads boxes of food for guests.

Dallas County Constables Precinct 3 with Dirk Nowitzki and Charlie McKinney

Dallas Police with Dirk Nowitzki and Charlie McKinney

Members of the Texas Highway Patrol.

Dirk Nowitzki greeted each guest as they waited.

The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center is a multi-purpose facility for neighborhood youth and families providing sports and leadership programs. 

For more info, go to markcubanheroescenter.org or call 214-379-7451. 



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