LAS VEGAS -- Raiders offensive lineman Dylan Parham remembers staying at his grandmother's house every Thanksgiving break, family all around, and with one rule for everyone.
"You didn't eat until the food was done," he said. "You saved yourself. You didn't eat breakfast (or) lunch, you were just waiting for Thanksgiving. But once that time came, you enjoyed it."
For Parham, the mac and cheese was and still is his favorite.
Knowing what it means to enjoy a hearty meal on that special Thursday every November, Parham takes pride in the team's annual "Turkey Time with the O-Line," as the Raiders partner with Three Square Food Bank to help provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need of food assistance each holiday season.
"We started this in Oakland, and this is such a great opportunity to give back," Kolton Miller said. "We have a lot more faces this year, which is awesome, that it keeps growing, keeps getting better.
"We’re so grateful for the fans, and this is our way of giving back."
Marking its 12th year, Parham, Miller were joined by at least a dozen more teammates, staff members, volunteers and the Raiderettes at specific tents stationed in the Allegiant Stadium parking lot, handing out turkeys and all the trimmings.
The Raiders' offensive line collectively raised money to purchase and distribute the meals, and with the help of Three Square, approximately 1,000 meals were given to hundreds of locals who drove by each tent while players loaded their backseats or trunks with everything needed to complete a Thanksgiving meal.
"It feels good to be in a position to do this," Parham said. "It's cool to be able to do it financially, to give back. But to be able to be a part of it, to see the appreciation from them and knowing it's going to a good spot, it does feel really good."
Three Square Food Bank is the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization and Southern Nevada's only food bank. As food assistance continues to be a primary issue for families across the state, partnerships like this continue to help families fight against food insecurity throughout Southern Nevada.
Three Square CEO Beth Martino said the Raiders' involvement has helped supply 1.3 million meals to families since the franchise moved its headquarters from Oakland to Henderson.
"Obviously, working with the Raiders is a really special partnership," Three Square CEO Beth Martino said. "They've been an incredible partner from the day that they arrived in Las Vegas. They know there's a need in the community, and they want to find a way to give back. And I think that's remarkable."
