As the air turns crisp and the holiday spirit settles in, the Season of Giving presented by DEEM returned with the Aaron Nesmith “Come To Our House” Dinner. This year, both of Indy’s teams, the Pacers and the Fever, joined forces to serve the community. The event was hosted in Indianapolis with support from US Foods and the Pacers Foundation.

The Come To Our House initiative traces back to the late 90s, when the Pacers first began hosting annual Thanksgiving dinners for families in need across Central Indiana. In 2022, it was Tyrese who hosted the event, but this year’s edition arrives at a critical moment. This is to fight hunger and support Hoosier families. Last week, the Pacers Foundation and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation announced a $250,000 joint contribution to the Central Indiana Food Relief Fund.

This initiative comes at a crucial time, as the nation braces for increased food insecurity following cuts to SNAP assistance. The donations will directly benefit Gleaners Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, and Second Helpings, which provide meals to hundreds of pantries across Indiana. “Our community has always come together in times of need, and now is one of those moments,” said Rachel Simon, chair of the Pacers Foundation.

Corey Wilson, who is the Pacers Sports & Entertainment SVP of community engagement, said, “For 28 years, we’ve been able to open our doors to help Hoosiers in need. We’re grateful to Aaron Nesmith for his leadership and generosity, along with our partners who help us carry on this tradition in our community.”

Since joining Indiana in 2022, Nesmith has become an active presence in community outreach.“I’m grateful to be in a position where I can give back and put smiles on people’s faces,” Nesmith said. “Any opportunity I can get to help make someone’s day just one percent better, to me, that’s a win. It’s bigger than just basketball, and that’s what we all do it for.”

The joint “Season of Giving” event between the Pacers and Fever became a moment that resonated across Indiana basketball fandom. As photos and clips circulated online, fans filled the comments with heartfelt gratitude. Here are five standout reactions that captured how deeply this initiative struck home.

Fans’ take on the Pacers and Fever’s season of giving

The first wave of reactions had fans thrilled to see Indiana’s two basketball families side by side. One fan wrote, “Fever girlies supporting Pacers fam ❤️💛.” Over the past few years, both franchises have emphasized “One Family” branding, and it all became real. This year also marks 28 years since the start of the initiative. Their partnership with US Foods ensures that the Come To Our House dinner provides professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals.

When fans noticed Fever guard Sydney Colson with a chef’s hat and wearing an apron, one simple comment took over: “Chef Colson.” Colson, who signed with the Indiana Fever in early 2025 after her stint with the Las Vegas Aces, has built a reputation less on box scores and more on mentorship and morale.

Another fan pointed out: “I see Sophie, Aari, and Syd. They are still rehabbing with the Fever, why they stay close to Indy. As long as no lockout, they get their treatment.”

A recent post on X showed Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, and Sydney Colson volunteering at the event, making their presence even more meaningful given their recent injuries. McDonald was sidelined for the season after fracturing a bone in her right foot, while Colson tore her left ACL in the same August 7 game. Cunningham, out with an MCL tear since August 19, has been enjoying her off-season with beach vacations and took time out to serve the people.

One comment that cut through was this sincere one: “Thank you all so much for Giving during these hard days. Another huge reason why I love the Indiana Fever ❤.” When sports organizations use their resources to meet real local needs, it creates a bond within the community. And such fans were grateful for that. Meanwhile, the Pacers Foundation also supports the Drive & Dish initiative by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle that continues year-round to target food insecurity.

The lightest moment came when a fan wrote: “The Chef’s hat! 😂 Awesome to see the give back! 👏” It was referring to Sydney Colson wearing a tall white chef hat while serving dinner. At the end of the day, food was served, and the community came together to uplift each other.

Together, these fan reactions reflect a fanbase that participates emotionally. The Pacers and Fever inspired an online community.