DALLAS — Milwaukee Bucks center and Bedford native Myles Turner has committed $1 million through his W.A.R.M. Foundation to help a Dallas nonprofit expand its efforts to address food insecurity across North Texas.
Turner returned to North Texas this week to make a long-term investment in families facing food insecurity.
Turner announced a $1 million commitment to Empowering the Masses on Sept. 1 during an event at the Dallas nonprofit’s Community Mart on Samuell Boulevard.
The funding will be provided through Turner’s Work As Role Models Foundation, known as the W.A.R.M. Foundation, in installments of $100,000 annually over the next 10 years.
The money is expected to support the nonprofit’s operations and food programs, including efforts to provide groceries to about 500 families each week.
Following the announcement, Turner joined community members inside the market as residents selected groceries and other food items.
Empowering the Masses works with residents in South Dallas and surrounding communities through food security initiatives, workforce training, skills development and health advocacy.
Its Community Mart provides residents with access to nutritious food while connecting families with additional resources.
The partnership builds on an existing relationship between Turner and the organization.
Turner became involved with Empowering the Masses in 2021 and previously helped raise money for the nonprofit during the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri.
That assistance helped provide groceries and temporary hotel stays to North Texas residents affected by the storm.
The latest commitment gives the organization a predictable source of funding over the next decade as it continues working with families experiencing food insecurity.
For Turner, the investment also strengthens his ties to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The Bedford native attended Trinity High School in Euless before playing college basketball at the University of Texas.
He entered the NBA in 2015 and spent 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers before joining the Milwaukee Bucks.
Food insecurity remains an issue for households that do not consistently have access to enough nutritious food.
Organizations such as Empowering the Masses work to fill those gaps while also addressing other barriers that can contribute to financial instability.
Turner’s W.A.R.M. Foundation focuses on mentorship, community engagement and providing resources to communities through programs designed to encourage athletes and others to serve as positive role models.
The $1 million commitment marks one of Turner’s largest investments in the North Texas community and provides Empowering the Masses with funding it can use over an extended period rather than through a one-time contribution.
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