Levy Makes 2,500 Thanksgiving Meals for Chicagoans in Need
This Thanksgiving, nationally recognized hospitality leader Levy will once again be serving a made-from-scratch holiday meal to Salvation Army clients. For the fourth year in a row, Levy staff have planned and prepared weeks in advance of Thanksgiving for this gourmet feast for thousands of hungry and homeless Chicago residents.
Due to lingering COVID health concerns, the meal will be distributed in to-go containers again this year in the Freedom Center parking lot. But the meal will still be impressive. The 2,500 hot meals include 900 pounds of turkey, 150 pounds of cranberries, 280 pounds of green beans, 280 pounds of sweet potatoes, 360 pounds of russet potatoes for mashed potatoes, and 150 pounds of bread for dressing.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy an incredible meal on Thanksgiving,” said Robin Rosenberg, Vice President and Chef de Cuisine for Levy. “Bringing holiday feasts to our Chicago community has been a team effort with Salvation Army. They’ve been an amazing partner. We’ve worked together since August to plan menus, source ingredients, and bring together dozens of volunteers for weeks of prep and cooking to make the day as special as possible for those in need, who really deserve a great Thanksgiving.”
“During the holiday season, the majority of people are joyful,” said Captain Nikki Hughes, Corps Officer at the Freedom Center. “But there are some in our communities that lose hope. This holiday season, we want to bring hope to all. We are excited to be able to provide a meal to our neighbors in need. This gives them one less thing to worry about. Bringing hope is a fabulous gift to bring.”
In addition to the meals distributed at the Freedom Center, the Salvation Army mobile outreach vehicles that deliver meals daily to nearly two dozen sites around Chicago will treat clients to this Thanksgiving feast as well.
“We’re so thankful to work with the Salvation Army to help make this holiday a little brighter for so many across our city who have endured an especially hard year,” said Andy Lansing, President and CEO of Levy. “Thanksgiving is a day to share together, something we’ve learned to cherish even more during the pandemic. It may be a simple gesture, but by sharing home-cooked meals made with love, we hope our community knows they are cared for.”
Meal distribution at The Salvation Army Freedom Center parking lot is from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on November 25. The Freedom Center is located at 825 N. Christiana Ave in Chicago.