NBA player and human rights activist Enes Freedom made a surprise visit to West End Food Pantry last weekend

“My friends actually invited me here for the first time so I was like ‘Sure I will come.’ I think what is so important is to give back and when you see a need it is important to step up,” he said.

Freedom said because he is fortunate to be able to have the life he has. Living for others and giving back to the community is important to him.

Taking a few minutes to pose for photos with the volunteers, it wasn’t long before the NBA Star was loading up bags of groceries for the food pantry clients.

Staff members say having him be a part of the day gave them a boost of positivity.

“Our volunteers do this every other weekend throughout the entire year. Snow, sleet, freezing temperatures, or a heat wave we are here working hard constantly so this is just giving us this influence of just positive energy and makes us feel good about what we are doing,” said pantry Director Karena Thek.

“I’m seeing so many young kids having a smile on their face while they are giving back to the community it just gives me so much hope for the future. What the volunteers do here every day to make sure families have food on the table inspires me,” Freedom said.

Thek reminded people that the pantry which serves 300 families on each distribution day, always needs more volunteers.

“You don’t need to be an NBA Star,” Thek said.