Dallas Mavs forward Harrison Barnes provides Thanksgiving meals for the community

Dallas Mavericks star forward Harrison Barnes comes from humble beginnings and understands the importance of giving back.

Harrison and his wife and mother are committed to making an impact off the court. The three of them teamed up to put together Thanksgiving meals for dozens of families who could use a hand.

The family gave away 170 turkeys Tuesday afternoon in south Dallas.

Harrison and his wife, Brittany Barnes, manned the sides station and gave away green bean and cauliflower casseroles. They worked with Kroger and Dallas nonprofit CitySquare to make Thanksgiving happen for families at the Belleview Apartments, affordable housing for people who are low income.

"A lot of single moms and kiddos, so this is an ideal place to pass out Thanksgiving turkeys,” explained CitySquare President John Siburt.

Audrey Overton's mind hasn't been on Thanksgiving. Her 4-year-old son, Drake, has sickle cell anemia and is in the hospital with a fever she hopes breaks so he can be better by Thursday.

"My family is coming down here from Memphis for Thanksgiving so this helps out a lot because I didn't have a turkey,” she said. “I'm doing all the cooking actually so this helps a lot because you know how much a turkey costs."

The Barnes have handpicked South Dallas as an area where they want to help because Harrison relates.

"Growing up in a single parent home, we were in kind of the low-income community where things were always difficult,” he said. “I know what it means to have people reach out, help, stuff like that."

Harrison's mother, Shirley Barnes, also came to support and be a part of a holiday that has always meant a lot to him.

"No matter how little or how much we had, we always ate good,” Harrison said. “And that's why eating is so dear to me, especially this time of year. And so for us to be able to provide this stuff, I think that's big."

The Barnes say they have more events planned this year, including refurbishing a community basketball court.