Thankful for Chicago Needs Your Help

Thankful for Chicago is a nonprofit organization creating positive experiences that people leave better than they came. Since June 1st, we have been doing that through The People’s Free Food Program; giving away thousands of hot meals, grocery bags, and household essentials kits.  We've been feeding our city with the generous support of individual donors in our network, but the need for free food in our city has exceeded our resources. 

Here in Chicago, many parts of the Westside and SouthSide are food deserts. With that in mind, we learned that Chicago Public Schools suspended food services for students amidst a global pandemic, and abrupt store closings. So, we contacted our partners and set up shop in Garfield Park’s parking lot to feed the people in the community. After serving thousands of people in just two days, we understood the true need for nourishment. 

To keep feeding the people in a more sustainable manner, it is crucial that we secure a space of our own. A restaurant space will allow us to take orders on site, give out free hot meals, and continue to giveaway groceries, baby needs, and household essentials. This means Chicago will be getting a free restaurant!

We have received tremendous support from our partners, volunteers, supporters, and donors which has allowed us to feed thousands of people and create thousands of smiles. We need your help to keep it going. Many families in Chicago do not know how they would have fed their families this summer without The People’s Free Food Program.

Donate here to transition us into The Happiness Cafe: a permanent free restaurant for our city.

Thank you for your time,

Kemdah Stroud

Thankful for Chicago, Founder