NBA star Jeremy Lin recently swapped his basketball jersey for an apron to help feed homeless people in Vancouver.

The Brooklyn Nets point guard, who is currently nursing a recent knee surgery, visited the Union Gospel Mission at its Hastings Street headquarters in Vancouver on Saturday to serve some Easter lunch to the hungry.

Lin joined the charitable organization’s staff and its volunteers in preparing 3,000 meals, which included over 900 kilograms of ham, 400 kilograms of scalloped potatoes and 600 apple pies, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Helping the needy is not new to Lin, who has his own non-profit foundation that focuses in helping the youth. Aside from serving trays of food and refilling coffees, Lin also took time to sit down and chat with those in attendance.

In an interview, Lin shared that meeting new people help him gain perspective, noting the importance to “not always be so immersed in the NBA life.” He added that his Christian faith has significantly influenced him in his charity work.



“I understand that my faith has played a big part in terms of receiving grace, receiving second, third, fourth, fifth chances and being able to learn from my mistakes,” he was quoted as saying.

“I think the one thing I always try to keep in my mind is, don’t ever judge anybody because you could easily be in their shoes.”

As a charitable organization, the Union Gospel Mission has been providing meals, education, shelter, safe and affordable housing, drug and alcohol recovery programs, and support services to those struggling with homelessness and addiction since the 1940s.

“I know what it’s like for some of our community, especially if they’re homeless or struggling, and they feel totally forgotten, they feel like people ignore them,” said UGM spokesman Jeremy Hunka.

He added that the mission’s staff and volunteers were thrilled that Lin accepted their invitation.



“To have somebody with that star status sit down with them or serve them a meal and take time out of his busy rehabilitation is amazing. It just shows that people care, and it reminds people they have dignity. And, hopefully, it will inspire the rest of us to do much better.”

UGM volunteer Chloe Milne, who once benefitted in UGM’s Sanctuary recovery program, expressed her happiness to be joined by the basketball star.



“It’s so great for him to be here and give some attention to what’s happening in Vancouver and with the homeless and fentanyl crisis,” she said.

Feature Image via Instagram/ugmvancouver