Kings Serve Meals, Smiles at Capital Christian

For Kristina Clubb, a warm holiday meal was a strong reason to be thankful on Monday at .

"There are a lot of people out there who are not able to afford a good Thanksgiving dinner," said Clubb, who's involved with the Options for Recovery group in South Sacramento. The group is an alcohol and other drug treatment program for pregnant or parenting women.

"This helps those who can't do it themselves," said Clubb, smiling as she looked around an auditorium where representatives from the Sacramento Kings and other community groups .

Coaches, former players, dancers, Slamson the lion mascot and other staff members attended the event that kick starts Maloof Sports & Entertainment’s 10th annual Season of Giving series of charitable projects. Families also got a complimentary toiletry kit and books for the children in attendance.

The invited clients of its program as well as foster youth and teen clients, said volunteer coordinator Michelle Purcell.

"Having the Kings involved gets people excited," Purcell said. "People see them as leaders and they're here doing things people don't expect... serving meals, taking out the trash."

Under normal circumstances, Kings players would be in attendance but the NBA remains in a lockout, canceling games and making some worry about the future of the Kings and a new in Sacramento. In the meantime, players around the country have held exhibition games, including one Sunday with current and former Kings at .

"I've been away from the NBA for four years now but I'd like to see basketball being played," said former Kings player Scot Pollard, who posed for photos with fans at Capital Christian. "Fans want to see it happen too."

Kings assistant coach and former star Bobby Jackson said he could not comment on the lockout as a current team employee, in between serving meals at the event.

"We've got to wait and see what happens," Jackson said.

What everyone did want to talk about was giving back in a tough economic period.

"It's always important to give back if God has blessed you," Jackson said. "My mom taught me to give back if you have the opportunity and I brought my kids along so they could help today."

Pollard, who now lives in Lawrence, Kan. where he played at Kansas, has returned to Sacramento for Kings events, including a rally in May at Cesar Chavez Park.

"At this time of year... it's hard to get smiles out of people." he said. "Anything you can do to spread joy and get people to smile is great."

Monday's event was sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, Volunteers of America and Levy Restaurants.