In mid-May, just a few days after Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles, a tornado swept through his hometown of St. Louis. The tornado damaged about 5,000 buildings, injuring 38 people and killing five.
A few weeks later, Tatum’s foundation — the Jayson Tatum Foundation — hosted a food drive to assist affected families. The June 1st drive collected more than 52,000 lbs. of food and supplies that were dispersed to those in need.
On June 14th, Tatum’s foundation is hosting a second drive to collect food items, personal care products, and household cleaning supplies.
Both drives have taken place at Chaminade College Preparatory School, where Tatum attended high school.
The Jayson Tatum Foundation works to uplift the St. Louis area year-round
The tornado response donation drive is one of many events Tatum’s foundation has hosted to impact the St. Louis community. The foundation, whose mission is to “positively impact and inspire children, teens and their families through education, athletics and support, and to encourage them to strive to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.” The organization is mostly focused on the St. Louis area, and hosts an annual new backpack and school supply drive, a Thanksgiving meal giveaway, and a toy and coat drive.
In addition, the foundation provides select graduating high school seniors with a $10,000 scholarship to help with expenses, and provide grants to low-to-moderate-income first-time homebuyers.
The Celtics star, in the meantime, is rehabbing in Boston.