On October 23, Cypress Falls boys basketball players spent their day lending a hand at a local food pantry, setting up stations, filling grocery carts, and delivering food to families in need. The effort gave the team a chance to serve their community while growing closer off the court.
The experience reminded junior Darryl Brown how small acts of service can make a big difference.
“We basically set up and helped give out food to people who needed it,” Brown said.
Beyond sorting cans and pushing carts, the players got a firsthand look at the real impact of their help. For many, seeing gratitude on people’s faces hit harder than any victory on the court.
The smiles and heartfelt thank-yous from families receiving assistance gave the athletes a new perspective. It turned a simple volunteering activity into a meaningful experience they won’t soon forget, emphasizing empathy over competition.
“We would get carts, fill them up with food, and then bring them out to a parking lot filled with cars or people who needed the food,” senior Christian Pang said. “Then we’d just help pass it out and give people enough food for the week.”
Brown said he and his teammates were driven by simple compassion.
He explained that it was a simple matter of fairness, believing everyone deserves access to basic necessities like food and water. This shared belief in helping others fueled their dedication throughout the day.
“I feel like people who really need it deserve to have a chance on eating, drinking, like we all do,” Brown said.
Working together at the pantry didn’t just serve others, it brought the team closer. What started as community service ended as a bonding experience full of laughter, teamwork, and new connections.
Pushing carts, lifting boxes, and organizing shelves fostered a new type of camaraderie. Away from the pressures of practice and games, the players connected on a human level, strengthening their bonds through a shared purpose.
“It was a really humbling experience,” Brown said. “I feel like we all bonded and became more like a family there. Like, we all laughed, joked, had fun, made new friends. It was really just a love experience.”
The players agreed the day gave them perspective, helping them recognize both their privilege and the strength that comes from giving back. Many said it deepened their appreciation for each other beyond basketball. Pang, who often volunteers through NHS, said the event reminded him why helping matters.
He stressed the importance of altruism, highlighting that volunteering isn’t just about accumulating service hours for a club or resume. It’s about genuine compassion and assisting those who are less fortunate.
“It’s not even just for the hours,” he said. “It’s just so that I can help people who are not as fortunate as I am.”
Senior Daniel Patton, expressed a similar sentiment, stating that the experience instilled a greater sense of gratitude for their present circumstances.
The team’s favorite memories came from the people they met. Quick smiles, warm thank-yous, and heartfelt moments that stuck with them.
Every interaction left a lasting impression. Pang recalled meeting diverse individuals and families, each with their own story, which reinforced the importance of community support and kindness.
“One moment that stood out to me was when we were passing out the food,” Pang said. “You never know what people’s situations are like, but just being able to meet new people was great.”
According to Patton, families were tremendously appreciative of the basketball students’ efforts to help the community.
Coach David Jensen said the experience was meant to help players see the value of serving others together. He envisioned this activity as a way for the players to contribute to the MESA food pantry as a unified group, understanding the power of collective service and making a positive difference in their local area.
“The inspiration behind volunteering at the MESA food pantry was for the players to be able to serve the community as a team,” Coach Jensen said. “We definitely saw our players grow and bond through this experience. In just a few short hours they were able to serve a large number of people with uplifting energy that had a positive impact on everyone involved.”
He added that community service helps athletes grow beyond the game. He believes that engaging in community work offers a vital opportunity for personal development, allowing them to step outside their normal lives, gain empathy, and recognize the importance of contributing to something larger than themselves.
“It allows them to see things from a different perspective and grow as people,” Coach Jensen said. “Volunteering includes so many qualities that translate onto the court, serving something greater than yourself, being unselfish, and working together as a team.”
One of the most memorable moments came when the pantry staff asked the team to return because of the positive energy they brought. The staff noted the team’s incredible work ethic and infectious positive attitude. This invitation back validated the team’s efforts and reinforced the strong impression they made on the organization and the people they served.
“The players had a great response to the experience,” Coach Jensen said. “They worked hard, served others, and represented our school and program in the right way.”
Players said the experience built trust and teamwork that will carry into the season. This newfound joy of an activity will bring them closer on the court, boosting team morale and teamwork/functionality.
“On the court, it’ll allow us to be a lot closer and build a chemistry that we need to go far this season,” Pang said.
As the season approaches, the team hopes to take what they learned, gratitude, humility, and unity, and keep finding new ways to serve.
