DALLAS — Myles Turner has pledged $1 million to Empowering the Masses, a Dallas nonprofit that works on food insecurity, through his W.A.R.M. foundation.
The pledge was announced Aug. 27. It is structured as a conditional distribution of $100,000 a year over the next 10 years. Turner was born in Bedford and played high school basketball at Trinity in Euless.
“The DFW Metroplex has always been home for me,” Turner said in the announcement. “The opportunities these communities have provided me were integral to my success over the years. So giving back to the Metroplex that shaped me is something I take seriously.”
Empowering The Masses
Empowering the Masses was founded by Tammy Johnson, who runs the organization as its executive director. The nonprofit operates out of 3220 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas and distributes food every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT through a partnership with Sharing Life Community Outreach. It also runs career training and life skills programs.
Across the 25 North Texas counties served by the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank, nearly 1.4 million people are food insecure, according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study released July 28. Children account for 36% of that figure, or 506,050. Dallas County has the sixth-largest food-insecure population of any county in the country at 503,440 people. The cost of a meal in DFW is $3.46, compared with a Texas average of $3.17.
“This generous commitment could provide longevity for the organization, and increase impact with the neighbors that we serve. We’re looking forward to what this partnership will bring,” Johnson said.
The relationship between Turner and the organization dates to 2021. On Feb. 15 of that year, after Indiana lost in overtime to the Chicago Bulls, a fan sent Turner three Venmo requests for $100. Turner sent back one cent with the message “Here’s a penny for your thoughts.” Strangers began sending him money, and he pledged to match the donations for Winter Storm Uri relief. He had taken in roughly $3,500 by that Friday night, he told ESPN. The National Basketball Players Association agreed to match as well. Empowering the Masses helped bring the initiative forward, according to the release.
“As an NBA player, I understand that my platform can be used for more than basketball,” Turner said. “I want to help bring attention, resources, and opportunities to issues that impact families every day, and food insecurity is one of those issues. No child or family should have to wonder how they are getting their next meal.”
Myles Turner’s Career And Contract
The Indiana Pacers selected Turner with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Texas. He spent 10 seasons in Indiana and finished as the franchise’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 1,413. He passed Jermaine O’Neal for the record on March 22, 2024, at Golden State. Turner led the NBA in blocks per game in 2018-19 at 2.7 and again in 2020-21 at 3.4.
The Milwaukee Bucks signed Turner in July 2025 to a four-year contract reported at $107 million by ESPN’s Shams Charania, with a player option in 2028-29 and a 15% trade kicker. He averaged 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 71 games for Milwaukee last season, shooting 44.0% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range.
“With my W.A.R.M. foundation, the goal has always been to provide support, resources, and hope to people who need it most,” Turner said. “Partnering with organizations such as Empowering The Masses, that is already making a difference, allows us to amplify that impact.”
Milwaukee finished 32-50 and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Turner has appeared in 713 regular-season games and carries career averages of 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
