In a year that has challenged communities throughout the nation, Tampa Bay Buccaneers players are paying it forward for Thanksgiving, providing much-needed support to underserved families. Beginning Saturday and continuing throughout the week, Buccaneers players will help feed more than 3,600 families back in their hometowns and throughout the Tampa Bay community to offer a warm meal for those who need it this holiday season.
Today, linebacker Lavonte David and the Lavonte Legends Foundation will host their inaugural Thanksgiving Giveaway at David's alma mater in South Florida, Miami Northwestern High School. The Foundation will provide 200 families each with a turkey and four side dishes to enjoy. Media contact: Tia Kara (tiakara@theami.net).
On Monday, November 23, as the Buccaneers prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams for Monday Night Football, running backs Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy will help provide 500 bay-area families with full Thanksgiving meals through a food distribution event with Feeding Tampa Bay. Meals will include a whole roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, rolls and a pie, distributed by Buccaneers staff and volunteers. Media contact: Sarah Evans (sevans@buccaneers.nfl.com)
On Tuesday, the Buccaneers' entire offensive line and Publix Super Markets will provide more than 1,100 full Thanksgiving meals for those less fortunate at the 14th Annual "Turkey Time with the O-Line Supported by Publix." The team's longest-running player-led holiday initiative, this year's food distribution effort will be the group's largest to date and will be carried out by more than 75 Buccaneers staff members, Cheerleaders and Captain Fear. Families will receive one 12-16-pound turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, vegetables, stuffing and pie, along with Betty Crocker Au Gratin Potatoes donated by General Mills and King's Hawaiian Rolls donated by King's Hawaiian. Each family will also receive a $20 gift card from Publix and Thanksgiving kits in reusable shopping bags, including a foil roaster and storage container. Media contact: Allen Barrett (abarrett@buccaneers.nfl.com).
And on Wednesday, defensive lineman Will Gholston and his family will donate 900 turkeys to Tampa Bay families through two food distribution events with Feeding Tampa Bay. Gholston's community support also extends back to his hometown in Detroit, Michigan, where an additional 1,000 turkeys are being distributed courtesy of the Gholston family. Media contact: Sarah Evans (sevans@buccaneers.nfl.com).
The players' efforts are strengthened through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation Social Justice Fund, established in 2018 by the Glazer family in conjunction with the launch of the team's Social Justice Initiative. Matching grants by the fund amplify the impact of player charitable donations to causes that help break down barriers to racial and social equality. This Thanksgiving, the Social Justice Fund is providing more than $53,000 in matching grants to Feeding Tampa Bay to help provide even more meals to community members in need this holiday season.
*NOTE*: Due to NFL and team protocols, Buccaneers players are unable to attend these events in person.
Contact: Allen Barrett / 813.767.9862 / abarrett@buccaneers.nfl.com
