Memphis Grizzlies Get Dirty In South Memphis
It’s Friday and night most Memphians are either already tailgating on Tiger Lane or preparing to join the festivities the following morning before the showdown between the Rebels and the Tigers at 11 a.m. The life of a Memphis Grizzlie is a bit different. Friday night the Grizzlies have just defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 94-78, to improve their pre season record to 4-0. Jarell Martin says he didn’t get home from the game until after 11 p.m. Some players may not have made it home until midnight or later. Instead of heading down to Tiger Lane for a morning of drinking and barbecue, the Memphis Grizzlies are headed to South Memphis for a day of service at the Green Leaf Farm. After leaving Green Leaf Farm, I head on over to the Liberty Bowl to watch The Tigers finish beating Ole Miss 37-24. But not Coach Joeger and his troops, they have practice to prepare for their October 18 th game against the Timberwolves.
Green Leaf Learning Farm is a program of Knowledge Quest, a nonprofit in South Memphis. Green Leaf is a USDA-certified organic farm in the heart of South Memphis. The farm is used to educate students about urban agriculture and healthy eating. The farm also serves the KQ food pantry. The kids grow their own food for meals during KQ’s summer camp and after school programs. Programs like this are important because there are so many unhealthy eating choices for citizens of low income neighborhoods. Instead these neighborhoods are littered with fast food restaurants and other establishments that serve fatty deep fried foods or foods that are loaded with processed sugar. Unhealthy eating habits has been proven to be at the root of many diseases and illnesses. The Green Leaf farm provides the residents of the neighborhood with a place to get healthy food and raises awareness about healthy eating.
Everyone including Coach Joeger rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to help the Green Leaf Farm. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol worked together to build a wall. Marc was actually enjoying his project , so much so he requested the media to leave and come back when he was done working. However, he did not mind being interrupted by a young fan that just wanted to say hello to him and shake his hand. I observed him taking a few minutes to get to know some of the young fans, asking them their name and a few things about themselves. Jarrell Martin and Z-Bo painted flower pots and abstract canvas pictures with neighborhood kids. In between working on their various projects, the players posed for with pictures with fans from the neighborhood that also came to work I’m the garden.
The Grizzlies next game is Sunday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves and then Wednesday the team travels to Atlanta to face the Hawks. The regular season home opener, against the Cleveland Cavaliers, is just ten days away. Single game tickets as well as 15 and 22 game packs are available. For ticket information dial 901-888-HOOP (4667).
2015-116 Grizzlies Promotional Schedule
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