Players from the New Orleans Pelicans, including All-Star Brandon Ingram, have stepped up for The Crescent City during the pandemic.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a special team when it comes to talent, but players like Brandon Ingram have shown as much off the court as on.
Ingram has partnered with Goodr, a non-profit organization whose goal is to limit food waste and end hunger.
Through a donation from Brandon Ingram, Goodr was able to feed around 900 families in New Orleans who come from underserved communities.
Ingram has already been impacted by the community in his time on the New Orleans Pelicans and wanted to give something back. According to Pelicans.com, Ingram had this to say about his adopted home:
"“The New Orleans community has been so welcoming to me and my family, and I know many people are having a hard time putting food on the table right now,” said Ingram. “I’m grateful to Jasmine and her team at Goodr for helping give back to the people in this community who have supported me and are struggling during this difficult time.”"
The soft-spoken, small town Ingram has embraced The Big Easy, and looks like he could remain a member of the New Orleans Pelicans for years to come. He had this to say in a recent interview with ESPN:
"“It’s great people around, great, genuine people, good food, it’s an all-around great vibe,” Ingram said of his new NBA home. “I’m enjoying it. It does remind me of home a little bit. I can look at some of the scenery and be like, damn, I’m back home a little bit. It’s a lot slower and I’m enjoying it.”"
Brandon Ingram clearly wanted to give something back to say thanks to the community that has embraced him. The 900 families each received two weeks worth of food, and in times with record unemployment, that is no small gift.
The notion that this gesture means little to guys like Brandon Ingram because they are rich is nonsense. Tell the 900 families who are eating tonight that it’s just an empty gesture.
Brandon Ingram’s play has endeared him to the city of New Orleans, but it’s moves like this that will make him part of the community.
Good on ya, Brandon Ingram.