Jarrett Allen hosted his 9th annual Meals + Math Thanksgiving event today. The All-Star center provided 25 families with $200 for shopping, as well as lessons in budgeting and math.
“We give them Thanksgiving shopping, but the twist is we give them a budget,” Allen said before the event.
The goal is not only to help make Thanksgiving easier for these families, but to give the kids some first-hand experience learning how to shop responsibly.
“The first thing is, they need an adult to shop with them,” Allen said. “Some of these kids, they’ll have 12 cases of soda; they’re gonna go straight to the chips and cookie aisle, that’s why we give them the list to try and dial them back in.”
Each kid is given a calculator, a shopping list, and a volunteer adult to help them navigate the store. Of course, they’re all gifted #31 Jarrett Allen jersey shirts, as well. Allen strolled along with them as they shopped, making sure each kid was buying the right things.
The Holidays can be stressful, especially from a financial standpoint. Allen said his primary motivation for hosting this event was to make sure that these kids get an opportunity to feel important.
“We’ve all been in their shoes, wanting a little extra something, and these kids deserve it just as much as anyone else.”
Another motivation for Allen was his mother, who brought him to volunteer at food drives at a young age.
“My mom used to go make us volunteer at food drives,” Allen said. “I’d be like ‘oh, it’s such a chore, we have to load things, get the boxes and hand them out’ but now, looking back and understanding the importance of it, I’m glad she did.”
Allen has hosted this event each year of his career, starting in Brooklyn and carrying forward to his time in Cleveland. This is a chance for him to give back to the community and feel good while doing it.
“There’s a kid next to me that’s like ‘this is the best day of my life’ and we haven’t even started shopping yet,” Allen said. “I’m smiling with them, they’re having a good time learning, and I’m having a good time with them.”
As for the big question that we’re all wondering, Allen also shared his ideal Thanksgiving meal lineup.
“Protein, turkey, mac and cheese, rolls and dessert,” Allen said. “If I have all that, I’m good.”