To Memphians, Zach Randolph has already scored big this week. He hasn’t hit the court since Monday’s matchup against Oklahoma City, but he’s still dished assists and scored points with the hometown community that considers him family.
Memphis’ reliable double-double machine is currently sidelined with knee soreness, but it didn’t keep him from hosting his first holiday gift basket giveaway on Thursday (11/19) where he donated and distributed 500 holiday baskets to families at Booker T. Washington High School. Each “basket” is packaged with enough food to feed a family of eight including a turkey, mac and cheese, green beans, stuffing, and corn, made possible by CashSaver Food Stores.
He’s in his eighth year of food giveaways to families in need, so it’s no wonder that by now most of the children at BTW consider the big man as just part of the family. Bystanders can hear Z-Bo asking, ‘How’d you do in football this year?,’ ‘How’s your grandmother doing?,’ ‘Man, I saw your cousin yesterday,’ or ‘How are those grades doing this semester?’
The kids gravitate toward him. They’d rather talk to him then take the 2015 version of an autograph – the selfie.
“I’ve been that kid picking up holiday food baskets from the Salvation Army and taking it home to my mom and siblings,” said Randolph. “Those memories are what make me do this every year, I know how much a simple hot meal can mean. These schools are where community starts.”
Simple math tells us that if each basket feeds a family of eight, and 500 are given away – then a potential max of 4,000 people are fed from one holiday basket giveaway. Z-Bo usually hosts two events each year, among other opportunities for children to experience a heightened holiday a la Z-Bo.
But one basket in particular found it’s way into the hands of someone who perhaps needed it more than any one single family.
Radario Kendrick, a high school senior at Booker T. Washington, was overheard telling Action News 5 in an interview that he actually wasn’t taking the basket home. Instead, he has seen the same homeless man, on the same corner for years. He’s never once asked for anything besides food, says Kendrick, 17. The Second-Team All-District linebacker scurried from the event with the box in hand, trying to arrange the handoff before getting to his first job at Car Wash USA.
“Z-Bo is here because he wants to give back to the community, so I do too,” said Kendrick. “I’ve gone to all of Z-Bo’s giveaways at school and I’ve given away the food every time.”
Why?
“Because my family isn’t selfish. They believe in giving thanks to the community.”
Kendrick, BTW’s current Salutatorian, is gearing up for graduation and then hopes to enter the Air Force, and maybe even be a part-time actor.
“He did that?” Z-Bo said when learning of Kendrick’s act. “Man, that’s exactly why I’m here. That’s what it’s all about. I hope I’ve set a good example.”
Z-Bo’s next holiday gift basket giveaway is slated for Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Hamilton High School as part of the Grizzlies Season of Giving, presented by Gossett Motor Cars.