Community | November 28, 2008 | 24 comments

Obama hands out food, visits school on South Side Chicago

source: http://www.truthout.org/112708B

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wlwatkins
What did you do on Thanksgiving Day?


President-elect Barack Obama and his family spent an hour handing out chickens, potatoes, bread and other Thanksgiving food to poor families on Chicago's South Side Wednesday morning after Obama introduced his latest economic advisors. Then he shook hands with Catholic grade school students ecstatic to see him.

Many of the poor and homeless - some of whom come for food every Wednesday - screamed in disbelief as they entered the parking lot of St. Columbanus church at 71st and Calumet and realized the reason they had been wanded by the U.S. Secret Service was because Obama, his wife and daughters, were standing there ready to pass out the food usually handed out by volunteers.

"At Thanksgiving, it's important for us to remember people in need," Obama said. "They told me the number of people coming here is up 33 percent from last year."

About 600 families got food, said Kate Maehr, executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. That's up from 270 families last year, said the Rev. Matt Eyerman.

This is the fourth year in a row Obama has handed out food before Thanksgiving. Last year, he did it in New Hampshire.

"We started seeing increases as early as last year January," Maehr said. "In April, we started seeing double-digit increases.

"Happy Thanksgiving - hey, don't forget your chicken," Obama said after hugging one woman who screamed when she saw him. Declining to give an autograph, he said, "If I sign autographs, I can't pass out my chickens."

Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 , stood beside their father also handing out food in the 43-degree weather beneath the elaborate 99-year-old stained glass windows of St. Columbanus church. Obama wore a leather jacket while Michelle and the girls were bundled in winter coats and hats.

Obama said it was important to bring his daughters because, "I want them to know how fortunate they are and that they have to give back," Obama said.

As he finished handing out the chickens, Obama turned and looked up at the windows of St. Columbanus School where the pre-K through 8th graders were furiously waving and screaming from their second- and third-floor windows, their screams barely audible through the closed windows.

"Hey Michelle, look," he pointed as she waved back.

"We've got to go in there and say 'hi' to those kids," he told his wife, much to the chagrin of the Secret Service, which frowns on spontaneity.
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24 comments // Obama hands out food, visits school on South Side Chicago

  • Robroy1
    • 0
      Robroy1  

    • What is intresting is that he did this for the last four years, even before he was in the international limelight. I I don't like his keeping Gates on or the fact that Carl Rove likes the people he has chosen but I gotta give him a chance to prove himself. He makes a pretty damm good case as a presdient that cares about America, its Constitution and it's people. I sure hope he is one of the greatest presidents. Time will tell. God knows we have had nothing but evil leadership for eight years.

    • 3 years ago
  • Marilynn_Murray
    • 0
      Marilynn_Murray  

    • There isn't much else he can do until January. He didn't have to do that. He could have sat home in his warm house and watched TV, He has already won the election.
      He chose instead to do what he has done for four years, he handed out food and good wishes to people that needed both.
      What did you do?

    • 3 years ago
  • Johnny_Danger
  • flyingkick
    • 0
      flyingkick  

    • Are you serious?
      The country is in crisis and you guys are clapping because he handed out some chicken?

      I don't care what Obama does on Thanksgiving, I just want him to fix the country.

    • 3 years ago
  • cabinettags
    • 0
      cabinettags  

    • I think this was just great.

      Paying heed to take best advantage of every media opportunity doesn't seem to have anything to do with it. What this does say, at least to me, is our next president is a guy that practices what he preaches.

      I like that. I like it a lot.

      He's going to be a handful for the Secret Service. I say that in a humorous vein but their institutional paranoia has good basis. Charismatic leaders have a way of attracting nut cases like moths to a flame.

    • 3 years ago
  • analogue_girl
    • 0
      analogue_girl  

    • I think Obama is saying to all Americans that it is okay for us all to show a better side of ourselves. We should strive to become a nation that takes care of each other rather than just tramples each other to consume one more needless thing. He is leading us in the right direction, I just hope we all follow in his steps.

    • 3 years ago
  • Marilynn_Murray
    • 0
      Marilynn_Murray  

    • He could have stayed home and not had to look at the poverty.He didn't and that alone shows that he cares. As for the cameras, he can't leave his house without them and we need to know there are people in need. He has been in need himself and you can bet he will not forget.

    • 3 years ago
  • cantucwearebrothers
    • 0
      cantucwearebrothers  

    • "We've got to go in there and say 'hi' to those kids," he told his wife, much to the chagrin of the Secret Service, which frowns on spontaneity. "

      Looks like the Secret Service have their hands full with him. lol

      Love that.

    • 3 years ago
  • oracleruby
    • 0
      oracleruby  

    • Wow.... I'm shocked but I feel like I shouldn't be. What an awesome guy. I hope to hear more inspiring news like this from other politicians.

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • It would seem more sincere if he alliowed no cameras. Did he do this last year or when he wasn't popular and in the limelight? Just curious. Now in order to show how sincere he is, how about seriously addressing poverty in this country once he gets inaugurated and giving these people more opportunity to have a job and a home.

    • 3 years ago
  • cantucwearebrothers
  • JanforGore
  • samthesixth
  • Tayllerand
    • 0
      Tayllerand  

    • Like the comercial say ............
      Obama is gonna change it ...Obama is gonna change the world .........
      Were gonna change it ..................
      ObamaJesus
      Joy to world the Lord has come.....
      Merry Christmass everybody....hohohohohohohoho

    • 3 years ago
  • robertobarreiro
  • arcticspirit
    • 0
      arcticspirit  

    • I am probably going to be eaten alive for this, but I believe he could have easily afforded to hand out 8-11 lb turkeys. That would be correct for the holiday. And would show true good will, not just a gesture.
      Or a message that poor people aren't good enough for turkey, they get chicken.

    • 3 years ago
  • Paddlenround
    • 0
      Paddlenround  
    • arcticspirit:

      Have you ever thought these people do not have the resources, to cook, store and eat a large turkey? Turkeys take a lot of time to prepare and use a lot of feul to cook. Providing chicken gives someone an easier preparation and a nice meal. Moreover, Thanksgiving isn't about the turkey, its about being thankful for the blessings in your life.

    • 3 years ago
  • anglcazn
    • 0
      anglcazn  
    • arcticspirit:

      Gasp! He must be elitist because he's handing out chickens instead of turkeys! How unpatriot and unamerican! Destroying the very sanctity of Thanksgiving tradition by handing out chickens! How dare he!

      You're trying to criticize something that isn't even worth criticizing or making comment about.

      You're fishing for fault and so far, you're not finding any.

    • 3 years ago
  • wlwatkins
    • 0
      wlwatkins  
    • arcticspirit:

      Ya......chomp....chomp......
      the fact that he showed his children that the meaning of life is to help out less fortunate people as well as celebrate days......is the important issue here....one that our children can look up too.....and he is a hell of a role model.
      I would say the south side of Chicago will change for the better after his term.......
      if everyone would donate 1 hour think of the world could be?

    • 3 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  
    • arcticspirit:

      wlwatkins:

      I agree about donating that hour and without a press corp and entourage around you to get a photo op. So where are you doing yours? Just curious. Politicians handing out anything with a press corp at hand actually do not impress me. If you can show he did this as a legislator in Illinois on a yearly basis and before without the limelight on him I might believe he actually did this because he wanted to and not because he was told to do so by his handlers. I would also think any politican who voted for the Wall Street bailout owed us all a lot more than a chicken after that.

    • 3 years ago
  • anglcazn
  • Time4Me
    • 0
      Time4Me  
    • arcticspirit:

      Sorry but you have misunderstood. I am a worker at the Pantry that the Obama's visited and yes, considering the fact that he is the PRESIDENT elect, I think it was a HUGE deal that he came to rub shoulders with "common folk." The Obamas are beautiful people. They were very nice, charismatic, didn't mind people around them. He has a sense of humor, Michelle, very down to earth. This was a great experience for all of us at St. Columbanus. Also, the people that we serve are not all "poor," there are working class people who are highly affected by the economy and the chicken were given out instead of turkeys because we served OVER 600 families and to provide each family with a $20+ turkey is unrealistic; St. Columbanus is also have financial difficulties.

    • 3 years ago
  • anglcazn
  • wlwatkins
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