Clarkson, Vanderbilt Gift Thanksgiving Meals To Utah Families
Nov 22, 2022, 4:28 PM
Jordan Clarkson (Left) and the Utah Jazz Bear hand out turkeys for Thanksgiving (Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
(Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz starters Jordan Clarkson and Jarred Vanderbilt carved out time in their busy schedules on Tuesday to hand out Thanksgiving dinners to families in West Valley.
Working with Smith’s, lululemon, and Jessicakes Bakery, the JC Cares Foundation met with Jazz fans and provided some 200 meals to families ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The offerings included turkey, side dishes, and dessert for their holiday meal.
“We love giving back,” Clarkson said at the event. “We love being a part of the community.”
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Clarkson has been a staple in Utah since he was acquired by the Jazz in 2019. The guard quickly became a fan favorite and earned the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021.
Vanderbilt was acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Like Clarkson, Vanderbilt has become a staple in the team’s rotation due to his hustle on the floor.
Off the court, the forward has quickly embraced the Utah community. The forward wasn’t scheduled to appear at the Thanksgiving donation event but made time to give back to the community.
“I’m big on giving back,” Vanderbilt said. “Once I found out Jordan had an event, I told him I was coming.”
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Vanderbilt, Clarkson, and members of their families handed out meals and paused with fans wanting to take photos at the middle school.
After handing out turkeys, Vanderbilt shared a meal privately with five Utah families at the Neighborhood House.
A Houston native, the Jazz forward experienced food insecurity growing up before becoming a high school basketball star.
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“Coming from a low-income city and state where I was at, I know how hard it is,” Vanderbilt said. “Especially during the holidays.”
The Jazz giving doesn’t end there.
Guard Collin Sexton plans to serve 200 meals provided by Catholic Community Services to clientele at the Women’s Resource Center.
The Jazz will have Thanksgiving off before heading out on a two-game road trip with stops in Golden State and Phoenix.
