LeBron James may not be playing the NBA Playoffs for the first time in over a decade, but he is still helping families win off the court in a meaningful way.
The Los Angeles Lakers forward has announced that he's partnered with Walmart to do a great amount of good for families in his home state of Ohio and across the country. As reported by CBS Sports, the former MVP has teamed up with Walmart's Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign to help provide food for Feeding America food banks across the country. CBS Sports explains that James will act as the spokesperson for the superstore's benevolent campaign that provides meals for less fortunate people through the purchase of Walmart products.
In exchange for James' efforts, the mega store will help out families at the former NBA MVP's I Promise School in Akron, Ohio. As Cleveland.com explains, Walmart will supply food, toiletries, clothing and other necessities for the school's pantry.
In a promotional video used to announce the partnership, LeBron James said, "It's an honor and a privilege for me in my community and what I'm doing here to partner with such a heavy hitter in Walmart."
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said, "What we hope to accomplish together with LeBron is to magnify each other's efforts." He added, "We would love to help this model that he's creating lead to a situation where it could help even more people."
Moreover, the newly Lebron James' assisted campaign has been extremely successful since its founding in 2014. As CBS Sports reports, the campaign has secured nearly one million meals and $74 million in donations. If James' presence can provide a boost to this campaign, the sky is the limit.
This announcement comes less than a week after the future NBA Hall of Fame forward announced that Dick's Sporting Goods had pledged $1 million to help build a new gym at the I Promise School. In a video posted by the Akron Beach Journal, James said, "The Dick’s Sports Matter program is helping us provide even more opportunities. An opportunity to play and learn in a safe place that many don’t have access to. I can’t imagine where my friends and I would be if it weren’t for the coaches and teachers who cared about us and the opportunities we had."
As the NBA Playoffs continue, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant may be competing for LeBron James' crown on the court, but no one is taking his crown off the court. Keep going young king!