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Pacers center Myles Turner blocks food insecurity with Starry and Gleaners for NBA All-Star Weekend 

NORAL PARHAM
NORAL PARHAM
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is partnering with Starry, the title sponsor of the NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest, to host the “3’s For Charity” contest at the NBA Crossover event Feb. 16. The event aims to raise funds for the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana by having participants make three-point shots during NBA All-Star Weekend, beginning that same day.

During the event, Turner challenges fans to showcase their shooting talents on the “Starry Ar3na LED Court,” with each successful jumper converting into donations toward the fight against hunger in Indiana.

If 100 three-pointers are made before the end of the event, then Turner and Starry will donate $33,0000, a nod to Turner’s jersey number 33, to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

Cleveland Cavs star guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is met with by a contesting Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during their matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana on October 20, 2023. (Photo/Walt Thomas)

“Food insecurity is a huge problem in the U.S. and the world; I just want to make sure I do my part to lend a helping hand,” Turner told the Indianapolis Recorder. “Starry’s efforts went hand-in-hand with the things I believe in, and that is what kind of sparked up a lot of this.”

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, the largest hunger relief organization in the state, serves a significant portion of the Indiana population battling food security, providing millions of meals to those in need.

“It is dope to partner with Gleaners Food Bank,” Turner said. “They are the largest relief organization in Indiana. Last year, they gave out 100 million meals, and that is about a third of the food insecurity in the Indianapolis area. I love what they are doing and what they have going.” 

Turner is not the only member of the Pacers getting active in the fight against hunger. Head coach Rick Carlisle is also playing point on the social matter with the Drive and Dish Program. 

More Pacers community news: Drive & Dish looks to combat food insecurity in Marion County

Pacers combating food insecurity
A demo of the meal boxes that will be distributed to those in need in Marion County, Indiana via the Drive & Dish program, backed by Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, on November 15, 2023 at Christamore House on the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo/Noral Parham III)

“242,000 people, or 25%, of Marion County deals with food insecurity,” Carlisle said during the November 2023 unveiling of the program. “24% of the African American population deals with it [food insecurity], which is two times more than the overall population.” 

Through this initiative and others, Turner and Starry seek to empower fans to make a substantial impact on the Indianapolis community by addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity in Indianapolis. By leveraging the excitement surrounding basketball and the NBA All-Star Weekend, they aim to channel collective energy toward the battle against food insecurity. 

With the support of Starry and the enthusiasm of an anticipated 125,000 basketball fans in Indianapolis for NBA All-Star Weekend, the event aims to raise upwards of $33,000 to assist Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana in its mission to alleviate hunger in Hoosier country.

The official flyer for the 3’s for Charity event, taking place at the Indiana Convention Center during NBA All-Star Weekend, February 16, 2024 from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. (Photo provided/Starry)

Turner also said that the first 50 fans who arrive in Pacers gear will receive an autographed photo. 

3’s For Charity aims to remind people of the importance of addressing food insecurity, particularly in underserved communities. By rallying behind causes like these, Turner and Starry aim to show the spirit of giving back while highlighting the significance of community engagement in tackling societal challenges like food insecurity. 

“I think Indianapolis is one of the best host cities out there,” Turner said. 

3’s for Charity takes place Feb. 16 from 4-5 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center. 

“Come out and show some love and enjoy some Starry while you are at it,” Turner said.


Contact senior sports writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral. For more NBA All-Star news courtesy of the Indianapolis Recorder, click here.

Senior Sports Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Noral Parham III.
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Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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