Larry Nance Jr. grew up the son of an NBA player, so he never wanted for anything.
If it was up to the Pelicans big man, no one else would ever need anything either.
That’s why Nance is constantly doing what he can to give back to the city of New Orleans.
“I was born into a very privileged situation,” Nance said. “You can use it in two ways. You can use your privilege to help others achieve this. Or you use your privilege and rest on your laurels.
Nance always chose the former, which is why on Sunday he rushed from Pelicans practice straight to the Second Harvest of South Louisiana facility for his latest community service event.
It was the finale of Nance’s Zero Hunger Challenge, an initiative in which he challenged New Orleans high school juniors and seniors to use their resources to address the root causes of food insecurity. Students from four high schools (Sophie B. Wright, Willow School, Eleanor McMain and Frederick Douglass) reached the final round on Sunday and presented their plans to fight hunger in the greater New Orleans area.
One thing was clear after watching all four presentations. There are some very promising leaders sitting in classrooms right here in this city. (Luckily, I was not one of those who had to judge this tough competition.)
Frederick Douglass, with his “Keep It Growing” project where people learn to grow their own food, was the winner. Their plan was one that Nance and the other judges believed could be implemented immediately. But really, everyone was a winner that day.
“I was so impressed,” Nance said of all the competitors. “They reached out to the mayor and government officials and went above and beyond any goals I could have set for the program. It’s a real tribute to the Orleans schools for the type of response and effort they’ve made.
The winning team received a check for $50,000 ($10,000 per student). Nance was so impressed that he spontaneously wrote an additional $25,000 for the second-place team (the Willow School). Nance will now do his part to help schools implement their plans to combat hunger in the city.
“This is your community and no one can affect change like you can,” Nance told attendees. “This is the beginning for you guys. This is your community, your place of change.
It was Nance’s latest project, always kind. Last season he auctioned off his game jerseys and the proceeds went to different schools in the city.
“What Larry is doing today, taking time out of his day, taking time out of his family to impact the community here, he’s a leader,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “And his leadership goes a long way. It’s here in the community, it’s here on our team, it’s in Cleveland (his hometown), it’s in whatever city he plays in. It’s refreshing to have a number of guys on our team to play a leading role in the community. We want our guys to continue to find their platform and figure out what they can do to help.
Nance’s Zero Hunger Challenge began with an investigation into another problem. He had read on X (formerly Twitter) that children had debts for school meals. He contacted NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Avis Williams to make sure it wasn’t a problem in New Orleans. This was not the case. But it got Nance’s wheels spinning, especially when he saw statistics that he said were just too hard to ignore.
“New Orleans is a place known for its food and there are far too many residents who don’t have access to it,” Nance said. “It is the second most food insecure city in the entire United States. And that’s a shame in a place where people love and create such an incredible product: their food.
This led to some brainstorming by Nance and his wife Hailey as well as Swin Cash (Pelicans vice president of basketball operations and team development), Darvelle Hutchins (vice president of Pelicans Equity and Social Impact) and Ashley Amoss (Director of Basketball Operations).
“We found something we could do to inspire change,” Nance said. “There is no change without young people. They must be convinced, educated and attentive to the future of their community and its real problems.
Turns out it was.
The plans presented included everything from revitalizing convenience stores in neighborhoods — an idea that has worked successfully in Philadelphia — to food distribution.
One of the phrases used in McMain’s presentation perhaps best sums up the Zero Hunger Challenge.
He was simply saying “Don’t drop the ball,” something that could also apply to Nance. When it comes to giving back, he refuses to drop the ball. Nance has bought into that since arriving in New Orleans two years ago after spending his first 6½ NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers.
“I’m lucky for the life I’ve been able to live,” Nance said. “There are others who need a platform, a champion or someone who can shine a light on what’s happening in these communities. I try to stay involved, stay connected. It’s been two and a half years in New Orleans for me and I hope we have many more years and many more to come.
