It’s been a busy offseason for both the Arizona Cardinals and D.J. Humphries.
While the offensive lineman is naturally excited over the addition of new teammate defensive lineman J.J. Watt, Humphries is even more eager about his own off-the-field work of starting a foundation around giving communities healthier food options.
“It’s something I’m excited about,” Humphries told reporters via Zoom on Tuesday. “I usually don’t talk about this stuff that really means the most to me because I’m kind of sensitive about certain things like that but its fun to finally be able to put it out into the world and do something good for my hometown.”
The Pee Wee’s House Foundation, named after his grandmother, was created as a way to give back to his hometown with a population of less than 8,000: Union, South Carolina.
Humphries’ first goal with the foundation is to deliver 2,000 boxes of produce to residents who don’t have the easiest access to fresh food. Inside the boxes, the foundation plans to add informational pamphlets comparing what can be bought for $20 at a fast food restaurant vs. in the fresh produce section of a grocery store.
His hope is that the donations will help supplement groceries to those in need.
“A lot of neighborhoods in my hometown are kind of locked into a food desert, where you pass more fast food restaurants and corner stores and liquor stores and things like that before you get to the grocery stores and fresh food options,” he said.
“I want to be able to go to my hometown and hand deliver some boxes of produce. … We’re working with a few companies looking to get some pasta in there added as well, some different types of grains.”
The left tackle added he’s happy not only to be able to give back with the help of his wife Briyana and bring change in his community, but to be able to do it with his grandmother in mind.
“Her name was Elizabeth Ann, but her nickname was Pee Wee. She was a very strong, stern woman but she was so loving and caring,” Humphries said. “I always wanted to do something to make her proud. Me and my mother are her only legacy. We’re from a small town, so we’re continuing her name on.”
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