DETROIT — Ahead of next Thursday’s holiday, the Detroit Pistons tipped off their annual “Season of Giving” event, presented by Kroger, on Tuesday at their practice facility in Midtown Detroit.
In partnership with Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University, the Pistons provided food packages to 400 preselected families from the Metro Detroit area in a special event closed to the public.
Helping with the food distribution wasn’t just the players — it was an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire organization.
“For me, the fact that we have the whole organization here. Not even just players, but we got the G League guys, the front office, everybody’s coming together and just giving back, man. I mean, it is beautiful to see, and I’m loving that we doing this,” Pistons center Jalen Duren told MLive. “I think it starts with ownership, with Tom Gores, him being such an investor into the community and bringing back and building new things and just helping the city grow.
“So I feel like it starts from the top and then it pours down, and it is just a testament to the character and the group of guys that we have and the type of organization that we have. We really care about each other and care about the city.”
This year’s event introduced a change in how food distribution was handled. Previously, cars would line up outside the practice facility, stopping at a checkpoint where Pistons personnel would place food packages in their trunks or hatches.
This year, the event was held inside the practice facility on the actual practice court. Families were provided carts to load their items and were assisted to their vehicles.
“I was just saying this year they made it so much easier for us. Everything’s flowing,” Pistons center Isaiah Stewart shared. “I feel (the organization) has done a very great job with this. We enjoy doing this. We appreciate (the fans) because they help us out. They come out for us, and this is us showing up for them and just being there for ‘em.”
While veterans like Duren and Stewart have witnessed the event grow over the years, this year carried unique significance for three of the Pistons’ offseason acquisitions: Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Harris, in his second stint with the Pistons, has a deep connection to Detroit. The city is where he met his wife and formed lasting relationships. Reflecting on the event, Harris emphasized the importance of athletes engaging in community initiatives.
“It’s extremely important. It’s kind of our duty,” Harris said. “I think when you look at the odds of players making it to the NBA and just seeing, it’s a dream for a lot of people in different walks of life. So for me personally, I always look at it as something that being able to give back and show your face, allow people to kind of get to see you, interact with you, it’s just inspiring.”
For Beasley, the event was particularly personal. His mother, Deena, is a proud Detroit native from the Six Mile and Evergreen area, making the opportunity to serve the community feel like a “full circle moment.”
“I’ve always wanted to (contribute) to Detroit,” Beasley said. “I never had a chance to, but now I’m here, and it is good to give back. My family’s in town, (and) it is always good to be around family.”
Hardaway Jr., no stranger to philanthropic efforts in Michigan, has participated in similar events during his time at the University of Michigan under coach John Beilein. Like his teammates, he underscored the value of serving the community, but he also shared a Thanksgiving tradition he’s eager to see fulfilled next Thursday.
“Watch the Detroit Lions get a W,” Hardaway said as he walked off.
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