LeBron James donates 1,300 meals to families in Akron, expresses support for UCLA Health staff

While the NBA waits for the green light to resume its season, some of the league’s biggest stars are doing their part to help those who can’t afford to wait another three months to go back to work. According to a report by Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation teamed up with Akron Family Restaurant to donate meals to families in his hometown.

Akron Family Restaurant co-owner Nick Corpas said he got a call last week and was excited to help. He started making his orders almost immediately and began prepping for the meals on Monday. He and restaurant employees arrived at the restaurant at 6 a.m. ET Tuesday to cook and assemble the meals.

He said they finished around 4 p.m., and LJFF volunteers parked cars outside the restaurant. Adhering to social distancing recommendations, the volunteers remained in their cars while workers and volunteers placed the food in trunks.

Each serving tray provided food for four to five people — enough for more than 1,300 people to have dinner.

James will donate more meals next week, per Zillgitt — this time to Akron families affiliated with the James’ I Promise School.

James also sent his emotional support to the UCLA Health staff, who have been working around the clock to treat the 812 people in the L.A.County with confirmed cases of COVID-19, or the coronavirus, and prevent the spread of the virus. Here’s the message James sent via TMZ Sports on Wednesday:

“Hey, what’s up y’all? It’s LeBron here. This message goes to all the strong women and men at UCLA Health. I know these last couple of weeks have been very taxing on you guys with what’s going on with the coronavirus and everything. I just want to let you know that ya’ll hard work and ya’ll dedication does not go unnoticed. The James Gang family here thanks you guys and hopefully we can get back on our feet and we can get back to our everyday lives very soon ...

“The time and the commitment that you guys are putting in, it’s truly commendable and remarkable at the same time. So, God bless you guys and can’t wait to see you guys again. One love.”

You can do your part to flatten the coronavirus curve by practicing social distancing and following the latest Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) healthy and safety guidelines. For more information on how to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus.

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