Immediately after The Dream Center completed an 82nd consecutive day of their food distribution program, Pastor Matthew Barnett gathered Justin and Kourtney Turner and employees from the local nonprofit in what he described as the “busiest square footage on the campus times 10.”
It was there that the Justin and Kourtney Turner Food Bank was unveiled, signaling yet another bond and mutual admiration between the Justin Turner Foundation and Dream Center. Prior to unveiling the plaque, Barnett raved about the endless support from the Turners, much of which the couple does without seeking public notoriety.
“I don’t have a lot of words now. It was everyone here that made it what it was and helped so many people,” Kourtney told DodgerBlue.com.
“I’m just so appreciative. This is unbelievable. We don’t do what we do with our foundation for the recognition or to have our name on a plaque, but to know that they had that idea to recognize our support for this, we were speechless. It was special.”
The Turners played an active role in assisting The Dream Center with providing meals and essential items on a daily basis to families that were impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They involved local restaurants and served as inspiration for Clayton Kershaw, Max Muncy and Ross Stripling, among other Los Angeles Dodgers teammates, to participate as well.
“We get a lot of praise for supporting The Dream Center, but we’re not just supporting you guys, we’re actually following in your direction,” Justin told the group.
“The thing we love most about this place is when stuff happens and there’s a need anywhere in the city, you guys just run right towards it, get to work, put your head down and start helping people and lifting them up. We’re just riding along on your coattails. We’re so happy to be a part of it, and this is an unbelievable gesture. I think all of you guys are All-Stars.
“The energy, spirit, joy and passion you brought out here every day to change peoples’ lives and help them get their next meal, is just remarkable. Thank every single one of you guys from the bottom of our hearts. This is awesome.”
The Justin and Kourtney Turner Food Bank will provide for 60 other organizations in the area, plus daily feeding will continue at The Dream Center, and it will be utilized to supply 23 mobile food bank sites with up to 200 bags of groceries each (per day).
Justin Turner Foundation recognizes ‘Everyday Heroes’
Following the dedication of the food bank, Justin and Kourtney surprised The Dream Center staff with a pair of Adidas tennis shoes. It was an extension of the social media giveaway the Turners previously held in recognition of those on the frontlines of the fight against the virus.
They began by first providing shoes to those who specifically were nominated as an “Everyday Hero.” Each name that was read off was met by cheers, then the room erupted when Justin informed them everyone was going to receive shoes.
“It’s something we had been working on for three or four weeks,” he said after the show of appreciation. “Adidas played a big part in it, because we did our ‘Everyday Hero’ giveaway on social media, and they sent us 25 pairs of shoes that we gave out to people across the country.
“They actually reached back out to us and asked if we wanted to do a second round of it. We told them there’s basically 40 people, and they were like, ‘Done. We see what they’re doing every day, we love it.’ We have to thank Adidas.
“It’s a pair of shoes, but we want to make sure every single person that was out there knows that we appreciate and recognize they were the ones that really made it possible. We spent a lot of time not just putting the shoes together but writing cards and giving them a little piece of our sentiment. Just telling them how much we care about them and appreciate what they do every day.”
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