Thanksgiving came early for families in Camden, New Jersey, thanks to Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis. He hosted a Thanksgiving meal for over 150 residents at The Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center. Jordan was joined by his two brothers and his mom, Shay Allen, to serve a full turkey dinner to families facing food insecurity, something they know all too well.
“It was tough for my mom to make sure we had dinner every night,” Davis shared. “Sometimes she even skipped meals for us.” Shay expressed her gratitude to the Salvation Army for their past support. “They’ve helped us have Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas presents. I want to make sure he gives back to those who helped us,” she said.
Davis hopes to inspire others to give back. “It doesn’t take much to help your community — just a little time. Time is the most important thing,” he said. After the meal, he joined local kids for a flag football game, even playing quarterback. His foundation also made sure every family left with a laptop and a turkey dinner.
Maj. Richard Sanchez from the Salvation Army noted, “When Jordan comes in to help, it really makes a difference. It’s going to help with food insecurity in the community.” As Thanksgiving approaches, Davis is also preparing for his game against the Chicago Bears on Black Friday. “My new tradition is making mac and cheese, so I have a big task ahead of me,” he added.
