LAS VEGAS, July 14, 2026 – As thousands of basketball fans descend on Las Vegas for NBA Summer League, dozens of former NBA players will partner with Three Square Food Bank, Hope for the City and Mater Academy to provide nutritious food to approximately 500 Southern Nevada families on Thursday, July 16.
"No single organization can solve hunger alone. But when community leaders, educational institutions and partners like NBA Legends come together with a shared purpose, we can make a meaningful difference for hundreds of families while building a model that reaches even more people in the future," said Beth Martino, President and CEO of Three Square Food Bank. "This partnership demonstrates what's possible when teams come together to strengthen our community."
What is the Partnership?
The initiative is led by former NBA player Doug Lee and inspired by Derrick Coleman's I Am Derrick model, bringing together NBA Legends, Hope for the City, Mater Academy and Three Square around a shared commitment to addressing hunger through collaboration. Partners hope the July 16 distribution will serve as the foundation for expanding to additional Mater Academy campuses across Southern Nevada.
"Hunger has no zip code. Unfortunately, it affects every community," said former NBA player Doug Lee. "Basketball gave me incredible opportunities, but the greatest privilege is being able to give back. If we can use the platform of NBA Summer League to bring people together, serve families and inspire others to get involved, then we're creating an impact that lasts well beyond the court."
Community Impact
Southern Nevada continues to see thousands of households rely on food assistance each month, with 1 in 6 Southern Nevadans, or more than 377,270 people, experiencing food insecurity and not always knowing where their next meal will come from. 1 in 5 children lives in a food-insecure household and individuals facing food insecurity miss an average of 6.3 meals each week. Partnerships like this help bridge that gap while strengthening the network of support available throughout the community.
About Three Square Food Bank
Three Square Food Bank is Southern Nevada's only food bank and the state's largest hunger-relief organization. As a member of the Feeding America network, Three Square provides food assistance to hundreds of thousands of people each month through a network of community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and schools. Serving Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda counties, Three Square combines food distribution, nutrition programs, community partnerships and advocacy to pursue a hunger-free Southern Nevada. Learn more at threesquare.org or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram (@ThreeSquareFoodBank).
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