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.
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.
“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.”
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.
More Good Stories
Featured
When Kathy and Larry Helm heard about The Senior Source’s 60th Birthday Diamond Dance-Off, they knew they had to put on their dancing shoes! For the Helms, this event combined two of their passions into one. Celebrating and supporting The Senior Source, a Dallas-area nonprofit that has been serving older adults for 60 years, and dancing together, which they have been doing since they were high school sweethearts. Both Kathy and Larry have chaired the board of directors of The Senior Source and have been proud supporters since 1998. It seemed only fitting they should be voted into the finals to dance on stage at Klyde Warren Park this past summer.
In 2020, more than 912,000 women were diagnosed with some form of cancer in the United States alone. During that same pandemic year, countless medical appointments were canceled while people were social distancing, and yet still each day nearly 2,500 women heard the news, “you have cancer.” There is no doubt that these words can be crushing to hear, but what’s equally crushing is the lack of tangible, encouraging support that exists to help women feel beautiful, strong or “normal” before, during and after cancer treatment.
When Tom Landis opened the doors to Howdy Homemade in 2015, he didn’t have a business plan. He had a people plan. And by creating a space where teens and adults with disabilities can find meaningful employment, he is impacting lives throughout our community and challenging business leaders to become more inclusive in their hiring practices.
Have you ever met someone with great energy and just inspired you to be a better you? Nitashia Johnson is a creator who believes by showing the love and beauty in the world it will be contagious and make an impact. She is an encourager and knows what “never give up” means. Nitashia is a multimedia artist who works in photography, video, visual arts and graphic design. Her spirit for art and teaching is abundant and the city of Dallas is fortunate to have her in the community.
The United Nations Association Dallas Chapter (DUNA) honored Rev. Bill and Norma Matthews for their ongoing commitment, helping advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda by promoting peace and well-being.