Retired NBA Legend Charles Oakley kicks off national Oak Out Hunger initiative

Retired NBA Legend Charles Oakley kicks off national Oak Out Hunger initiative, encourages responsible sports betting

“As the world focuses on the Superbowl let's not forget about these folks.””

— NBA Legend Charles Oakley

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, February 11, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Former NBA All-Star Charles Oakley’s “Oak Out Hunger” community project kicks off in Los Angeles this weekend with the goal of providing food and education to underprivileged communities and raising awareness about the need for socially responsible sports betting.

A coalition of nonprofits – The Los Angeles Community Action Network, Help Give Care Foundation, The Charles Oakley Foundation, and the Entain Foundation – will supply food, fun and fandom to Super Bowl fans Sunday, February 13th 12pm at Gladys Park.

Oakley has worked hand-in-hand with Los Angeles-based nonprofits for many years. A

lifelong home cook who is known to whip up a giant family meal, Oak has spent much of his post-NBA career bringing his culinary prowess to homeless shelters and veterans' organizations nationwide.

“I come to Skid Row every year because of the community,” said Oakley, whose memoir “The Last Enforcer” debuted earlier this month. “It’s a community like no other. And these organizations we’re working with are second-to-none. As the world focuses on the Superbowl let's not forget about these folks.”

In 2020, the Charles Oakley Foundation launched the Oak Out Hunger campaign, which has provided thousands of meals and other social services to impoverished families in many major American cities.

The Help, Care, Give Foundation, and founders Henry Butler along with his wife casting director Leah Daniels-Butler, supported the efforts of the Charles Oakley Foundation to feed the homeless on Skidrow from the outset and continue to encourage the entertainment industry to lend time, talent and financial resources to feed, clothe and shelter those most in need.

“The Super Bowl is a global event happening in our city, everyone should have the opportunity to experience it,” says Butler. “We thank the Charles Oakley Foundation for the unceasing commitment to raising awareness of homelessness, and issues impacting the underserved.”

With all eyes on Los Angeles this weekend, Pete White, Founder & Executive Director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network, said it’s important to remember that everyday people are struggling right beside the action-packed spectacle of SuperBowl LVI.

“As the country prepares for Superbowl LVI, far less attention will be given to Angelenos, unable to afford Sofi Stadium tickets, unable to afford the rent, and residing in Skid Row,” White said. “What better way to showcase what many would rather hide than food, celebration, and the opportunity to give back.”

The national Oak Out Hunger program will further promote Gamble Responsibly America (GRA), a mobile app that educates users on safe gambling habits, and My Wager Score ™, an affordability tool that protects the financial health of players and rewards responsible gambling by converting 1% of every dollar bet into charitable tax-deductible contributions for social causes. GRA was launched by Entain Foundation U.S., EPIC Risk Management and RG24/7 in June 2021, while My Wager Score is a startup technology company.

“We’re asking folks to Bet Smart and Give Back,” Oakley said. “My Wager Score™ is the future of sports betting because it creates financial safety for players and helps create positive impact. We want folks to see that they can take fair play into their own hands and be empowered by getting their score at MyWagerScore.com.”