Jarrett Allen is hosting the ninth annual Meals + Math Thanksgiving event

A week before Thanksgiving, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen hosted its ninth annual Meals + Math event, a community initiative that gives back and teaches the importance of financial literacy. Twenty-five children from Breakthrough Schools’ Willard and Woodland Hills campuses received $200 gift cards to shop for groceries at Giant Eagle.

“We’re giving them Thanksgiving shopping, but the twist is we’re giving them a budget,” Allen said before his event began. “They’ll go around the store with a shopping list and pick everything, but if they go over the limit, we’ll give them a little scolding (laughs).”

Each student also had a calculator with a sample sheet as a guide.

“They need an adult to shop with them,” Allen said. “Some of these kids, they’ve got 12 cases of soda, they’ll go right down the chip and cookie aisle (laughs). So we give them a list to try to call them back. But I’m just laughing with them. They’re having a good time. They’re learning. I’m having a good time seeing them.”

Meals + math 🧮🦃

Last week, for his ninth annual event, Jarrett Allen (@_bigjaii_) provided 25 children from Breakthrough Schools with Thanksgiving groceries and budgeting lessons. Each student received a sample grocery list, a calculator and a $200 gift card. pic.tvitter.com/4oKvjjiiiT

— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) November 27, 2025

Allen saw his idea grows over the years, noting the companies that joined, how organized it became and the number of children who were able to participate.

“The first few years we wanted to put something together, we wanted to try to do something for the community,” Allen said. “We had a good idea how to do it, but not everything was in place to make it go as smoothly. Now, we have a bunch of sponsors, the Cavs are helping us. We have a great shop to help us. Now it just works a lot easier.”

Allen said his mother Cheryl, who attended, inspired him to help others in need.

“She had us volunteer at food auctions,” Allen said. “When I was younger, it would be like, ‘Oh, it’s such hard work.’ We would have to load things and some boxes to share. But now, looking back, realizing the importance of it, I’m glad it did.

Aside from his mom’s influence, Allen’s goal is to show his kids that people care about them.

“They see a lot on TV,” Allen said. “That, ‘Oh, this kid’s getting a gift.’ It’s one of those things like, why not me? Why wouldn’t this child come out and ask someone to help them? And honestly, let’s have fun.

“There was a kid next to me who was like, ‘This is the best day of my life!’ And we haven’t even started shopping yet.”

Allen may be close to returning to the field for the Cavaliers. Cleveland plays the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.