300 families at Buckner International receive free Thanksgiving meals from the Dallas Mavericks
How community collaboration is helping Dallas families impacted by food assistance pauses
On November 13, Dallas Mavericks players Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell joined Mavs staff, Maniaccs, D-Town Crew, Champ, and local volunteers to distribute 300 full Thanksgiving meals, including turkeys, sides, and twelve packs of Coca-Cola, to local families participating in various programs at Buckner International.
With SNAP benefit cuts affecting thousands of households this year, many families are stretching every dollar to keep food on the table. A traditional holiday meal can feel out of reach. That’s why the annual Mavs Turkey Giveaway carried extra weight in 2025. Powell, who has long been active in community outreach, spoke to the heart behind the effort: “Any chance to give back to the community is super important to me and the Mavs. Especially around the holiday season, it’s great to give a good meal to families and bring some smiles.”
For many families, those smiles came with a sense of relief in a difficult season.
“Thanksgiving is a big deal,” Gafford echoed. “As long as I’m able to make an impact off the court, bring peace, positivity, and put smiles on people’s faces so they can have a happy Thanksgiving.”
For Buckner staff, the event wasn’t just about food — it was about hope. Johnny Flowers, procurement officer and assistant director at Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid, emphasized the impact, “Through these tough economic times, it’s just a blessing to know that somebody thought enough of these families to make sure they have a meal for Thanksgiving. We couldn’t do what we do without community collaborators like the Dallas Mavericks.”
This year, community collaboration mattered more than ever. The Mavericks’ Season of Giving and Buckner’s year-round support provides stability when it’s needed most. Together, they ensured hundreds of Dallas families could gather around a table, share a meal, and experience the warmth of a community that truly cares.
Written by Nik Holman, multimedia manager, Buckner International
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