TRIADELPHIA — The annual Thanksgiving Charity Basketball Shootout is slated for 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at The Highlands Sports Complex.

The event raises funds for the annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway, which is scheduled to occur at 11 a.m. Nov. 18 at the North Wheeling Dream Center, 407 N. Main St., Wheeling.

Suff. Bishop Darrell Cummings, pastor of the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple and director of the North Wheeling Community Youth Center, held a press event Friday to introduce some of the charity event’s supporters and featured participants this year. Playing this year will be Nelson Croft, manager of the Ohio County Animal Shelter; Zac Shutler, superintendent of Union Local Schools; and Nick Nardo, athletic director for Union Local Schools.

Also on hand for the announcement was former state senator Owens Brown of Wheeling and Tammy Kruse, CEO of Youth Services System. Kruse presented Cummings with a donation check from YSS for the fundraiser.

Cummings said the food giveaway typically helps 300 to 400 people each year have a good Thanksgiving turkey dinner. There have been years where 1,000 were helped, he noted.

“We’re believing this Thanksgiving that more people are going to be in need based on the phone calls we’ve been getting,” Cummings said.

The basketball event will feature a shootout and a game between the Ohio Valley Lions and the Ohio Valley All-Stars. Those who would like to play or be a sponsor can call 304-233-8899 or visit www.northwheelingyouthcenter.org.

Tickets to attend the event can be purchased by calling 304-233-8899. People are also asked to donate one can of food when they attend the game. The canned goods will be distributed to those in need during the food basket giveaway.

Shutler said he wanted to participate because he believes in the good work that Cummings has done to help others every year.

“Anything we can do to support people who want to help others is crucial … to the betterment of our society,” he said.

“We know we have families who are in need, especially around the holiday season. We are looking forward to helping with this project.”

Cummings said the giveaway is open to everyone; there is no income or residency requirement.

Brown said the giveaway has fed 36,000 people in 33 years.

“This is a giving from the heart and I wish that all other people would join us in trying to make Thanksgiving a very festive day,” he said, adding he commends Cummings for the work he does year-round to help people.

Croft said he began helping with the giveaway about 20 years ago.

“The people were cold and they were tired, but they were grateful,” he said of the people standing in line for food. “What I’ve noticed in the past two years is just how much more grateful people are than in the beginning.

“It just goes to show that we are coming together as a community and we need to continue it.”