Hoops star Carmelo Anthony set the ball aside Tuesday to hand out free food to hundreds of hungry families in East Harlem.
“What’s going on on the court is minor compared to what’s out there in the real world,” the New York Knicks’ prized player told the Daily News.
“They could have had another Thanksgiving where they had nothing, but I’m here now and we’re going to give some of these boxes out.”
The seven-time All-Star and his foundation teamed with Feed the Children and AVON to give 800 families each a 25-pound box of food and a box of personal care items at Manhattan Mathematics and Science Center.
Nearly 20% of families in New York City live beneath the poverty line, officials said. The goods will help a family of four for at least a week.
“I’m a family of five,” said April Drew, 48, who traveled with her 8-year-old son from Brooklyn for the food and supplies. “I’m on a fixed income. This definitely helps.”
It was also a blessing for Kim Charles, of West Harlem, who has fought to make ends meet since losing her job as a teacher’s assistant in 2012.
“I can use just about all of this in there,” said Charles, 29, who has also had to deal with the death of her husband earlier this year. “It was a struggle for us.”
Anthony’s foundation will also feed 400 families in Baltimore on Nov. 21.
jransom@nydailynews.com
