Pacers deliver meals to those in need

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indiana Pacers supported National World Food Day and NBA Cares Week on Wednesday, joined by Second Helpings, Lilly Boys and Girls Club and Levy Restaurants.

The Pacers are working on a month-long, community service project that will collect non-perishable food items for those in need. The program kicked off on Wednesday.

Pacers players Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert, George Hill, Orlando Johnson, Jeff Pendergraph and David West served food to 125 children at the Lilly Boys and Girls Club in Indianapolis.

Hibbert said it’s always good to give back.

“I grew up in the Boys and Girls Club as a kid,” Hibbert told WISH-TV. “I'm handing out food. Then we're going to play games with the kids. I remember when Juwan Howard came to my Boys and Girls Club and I spent time with him. It's something I will always remember and hopefully these kids will remember as well.”

It’s been a busy week for Hibbert who surprised shoppers at Circle Center Mall on Sunday with a flash mob dance performance of Korean rapper Psy's “Gangnam Style”.

“It was something I thought about a couple months ago. The Pacers did a great job of organizing it and letting me use my artistic thoughts.”

Hibbert wore a special tuxedo as he showed off his fancy footwork. “I probably will never wear that tux again. It's something I'd probably wear to prom, but I'm not in high school anymore. I got the suit made just for the flash mob. I think it went pretty well.”

Food collected during the project was loaded onto vans at Bankers Like Fieldhouse and delivered to local not-for-profit Second Helpings and the Lilly Boys and Girls Club. 

While National World Food Day was Oct. 16, the Pacers and the NBA are working to make the program continue for a month.

Second Helpings provides meals to 3,300 people at senior centers, shelters and children's programs every day.

The Pacers have one final preseason game against the Bulls in South Bend Friday before tipping off the regular season Wednesday against the Raptors in Toronto.

"I'm ready to go and get started for the season,” Hibbert said. That's when things get serious. That's when the real tough guys come out and we're going to be ready to play."