NEW YORK – Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill received the  October Kia Community Assist Award in recognition of his efforts in the community and his humanitarian work, the NBA announced today. The award recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.

Kia Motors and the NBA are honoring Hill for his ongoing dedication to fighting hunger in the U.S. and abroad. As a part of NBA Cares Week, Hill worked with the Pacers and Kids Against Hunger to organize a day-long food-packing event at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Hill, along with more than four hundred Pacers employees and partners, packed a total of 59,686 meals. Kids Against Hunger distributed the meals in Hill’s hometown of Indianapolis through Gleaners Food Bank and to countries all over the world.

Hill traveled to Haiti with Kids Against Hunger to host basketball camps for local children and distribute food to villages in need. Moved by his life-changing trip, Hill committed to make annual trips to Haiti and to organize two packing events per season. While his main focus is combatting world hunger, he also works very closely with active military members who are experiencing financial hardships through the organization Wish For Our Heroes.

“I am truly honored and blessed to be chosen to receive this award,” said Hill. “The true winners are Kids Against Hunger and Wish For Our Heroes, who will have the opportunity with this donation to continue the great work they do helping those in need. Giving back to others is a huge part of who I am and what I believe in. I would like to thank Kia and the NBA for selecting me. It truly means more than words can express.”

Prior to tonight’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird and a Kia representative will present Hill with the David Robinson Plaque during an oncourt ceremony. In addition, Kia and the NBA will donate $10,000 on Hill’s behalf, split between Kids Against Hunger and Wish For Our Heroes.

Kia Motors has been an NBA Cares partner since 2010. In addition to the monthly Kia Community Assist Awards, the league will present a final 2013-14 Seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award.

To learn more, please log on to www.nba.com/kiacommunityassist.