CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs have two scheduled off days, and Jarrett Allen spent Thursday afternoon giving back to the Cleveland community.
In the midst of the Cavs' best start in franchise history, with a blistering 16-1 record through a grueling 17 games in 29 days, head coach Kenny Atkinson gave his team a much needed break away from everything basketball.
For most players, it was a chance to rest, recover, and reset. But for the Cavs' center, it was an opportunity to make an impact far beyond the hardwood.
On one of the Cavs' rare off days, Allen hosted his eighth annual Meals + Math Thanksgiving event -- this year at a Giant Eagle in Cleveland -- continuing a tradition he began as a rookie with the Brooklyn Nets. The event, which blends holiday giving with financial education, provided 25 children from the Urban Community School and their families with Thanksgiving groceries through a $200 Giant Eagle gift card.
Allen, the friendly giant known for his quiet demeanor and thoughtful approach to life, was in his element.
"It's good to keep tradition, and it's one of those events that you want to keep going," Allen said. "Every single year, it's a new group of kids, it's new faces to see, but it's always the same excitement from the kids and everybody involved."
Allen's commitment to giving back predates his NBA career. As a child, he and his mother would spend Thanksgiving volunteering at food banks, packing boxes for families in need. Those early experiences instilled in him the importance of community and the spirit of generosity that now fuels his annual events.
"For me, it's always more than basketball," Allen reflected. "Basketball is a part of my life, but it's not who I am. It's not who I try to strive to be in the public eye. You know, I want to be somebody known to give back, somebody known to support the community. I think this is the perfect time to do it."
The Meals + Math event wasn't just about helping provide food for the holiday season -- it was also an educational experience. Passionate about STEM education, Allen partnered with the John Glenn Space Center to provide each child with a STEM learning kit.
The grocery store transformed into a classroom as the kids navigated the aisles, along with trusted adults, armed with jumbo calculators. Their mission: stay within the $200 budget while filling their carts with items their families would need for Thanksgiving.
All of the participants succeeded.
"You build habits when you're young," Allen said. "It's not like they're budgeting for rent or anything, but if you start with the small things and just in an atmosphere like this that they're going to be accustomed to and they have to come to almost every day, it's going to be leaps and bounds ahead of people in the future."
Although many of the kids walked in with grocery lists focused on healthy essentials to support their growth, they faced tough choices between wants and needs. Balancing their budgets, they carefully weighed adding items like sodas or ice cream while ensuring their households' priorities were met.
One young participant left the event saying it was one of the best days of his life. That moment underscored the true value of Allen's efforts.
"I know they had a great time, but this is my favorite time of the year as well," Allen said, his signature smile beaming.
The event, utilizing many of Allen's partnerships, highlighted his philosophy of using his platform to uplift others. While he may be a star on the court, it's his off-court endeavors that define his legacy in the Cleveland community.
For Allen, his impact isn't measured in points or rebounds but in the smiles of the kids he inspires and the lessons they carry forward.