NBA legend Michael Jordan donates $2M to feed America's hungry

On the eve of Thanksgiving, NBA legend Michael Jordan has made a $2 million donation to Feeding America to help fight hunger in the United States. 

"In these challenging times and in a year of unimaginable difficulty due to COVID-19, it's more important than ever to pause and give thanks," he said. "I am proud to be donating additional proceeds from The Last Dance to Feeding America and its member food banks in the Carolinas and Chicago to help feed America's hungry."

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia, and the sub-national entities Leiden, Norfolk Island, and the inhabited territories of the United States.

Thanksgiving is deeply rooted in the history of America and its religion and cultural traditions. Americans believe that their thanksgiving is modelled after the 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Native American Wampanoag people. The festival was observed in the manner of a feast that brought together the two peoples in celebration of having survived.

"An incredible gift to be thankful for – NBA legend Michael Jordan is donating $2 million to help our neighbors facing hunger!" Feeding America tweeted. 

The proceeds came from "The Last Dance" documentary, which chronicled the lead-up to the sixth and final championship run by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. 

Jordan has been active in donating in causes dear to him this year. Prior to the airing of The Last Dance, he said he would donate proceeds of the 10-part series to Friends of the Children, a national nonprofit that provides vulnerable children with professional mentors.

In June, Jordan and the Jordan Brand announced a $100 million donation over the next decade to help the ongoing fight against racial injustice in wake of the police killing of George Floyd.

He also opened a second health clinic in Charlotte to help people without healthcare in October.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn Nets guard Jarrett Allen got creative this year in an effort to continue his annual Thanksgiving charity event amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to USA Today, for the past three years Allen has hosted "Meals + Math," bringing children to a grocery store in Brooklyn and helping them pick out enough items for a Thanksgiving meal by providing them with $100 gift cards and tips for shopping on a budget.

This year, Allen hosted a Zoom call to work with the students on budgeting for holiday meal shopping list. The students were with Children of Promise, an after-school program and summer camp for kids who have a parent who is incarcerated.