On the morning of June 24, 2025, employees from the Houston Rockets and Tito’s Handmade Vodka teamed up for a volunteer event at Houston Food Bank, helping pack food and other essential items for families in need.
At the event, Tito’s also presented a check to the Clutch City Foundation to honor its “Assists for a Cause” program, which donates a set amount for every Rockets assist during the preceding NBA season. In 2024-25, the total led to a $20,000 check being presented to the Houston Food Bank.
Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations with the Rockets, was joined by franchise icons Calvin Murphy and Allen Leavell in accepting the donation from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Murphy and Leavell both rank top-three in franchise history for career assists.
In the Houston Food Bank’s 18-county service area over 1 million people are food insecure. The food insecurity rate of children and adults is 15.4%, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. “So, this donation today will help provide 240,000 meals for the underserved community here in Houston,” Sheirr said.
For Murphy, the event held personal significance.
“I don’t think people really understand the importance of this Food Bank,” said Murphy. “I was one of those that grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut,” the Hall of Famer continued. “My mother and father worked, 24/7. There were times when we just didn’t have, and if it wasn’t for people volunteering to bring us food — there were seven of us — there could’ve been days that were real lean.”
“So, getting involved with the Rockets and for the Food Bank is very precious, to me. Coming out and doing my little bit of helping to package stuff for people in need, it’s something that’s dear to my heart.”
Through the Clutch City Foundation, the Rockets and their corporate partners provide support and visibility to vital community organizations, including the Houston Food Bank.
“I’ve been involved with the Rockets now for 56 years,” Murphy said. “Coming into this (upcoming) year, 57. The slogan they have of ‘Rockets care,’ that’s not just a slogan. That’s in their hearts.”
