The last few weeks of the year are filled with communities bringing joy to loved ones and strangers alike. The season of giving also serves as an important reminder that there are those who need an extra helping hand to keep the holiday spirit alive for their families. 

When the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis recognized many of the families of the children served by their organization may struggle to afford groceries and gifts during the holiday season, PepsiCo, Kroger and the Memphis Grizzlies stepped in to help.

In December, the four organizations partnered to deliver holiday cheer to 25 families. Each family received a $1,000 Kroger gift card to help stock up on holiday groceries and gifts . While parents were browsing the aisles, children got to meet and interact with popular NBA mascot Grizz and some of their favorite hometown athletes. 

Five of these families also were chosen to participate in a special in-store shopping experience with former Memphis Grizzlies players Bismack Biyombo and Brevin Knight, who is also the team’s current broadcast commentator. 

“We’re so thankful for the giving spirit of our community this holiday season,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis posted on Facebook. “This is a holiday we will never forget!”  

The Memphis Grizzlies have teamed up with PepsiCo since 2020 as part of the expanded Pepsi Stronger Together campaign to support local youth in the greater Memphis area through a variety of community-based programs. Addressing food insecurity and helping families gain access to better nutrition is an integral part of the beverage industry’s mission to support the communities in which they live, work and operate.

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