Bears rookies pitch in to help feed military families

Just a week after the nation celebrated Veterans Day, representatives from the Chicago Bears and other organizations came together Monday in Gurnee to help feed some military families.

The Bears, the Bears Care charity, MillerCoors, Jewel-Osco and a group called Operation Homefront gave turkeys, canned goods and other groceries to veterans, active duty personnel and their families at a Jewel store in Gurnee.

“We want to say thank-you to our veterans and our people serving in the military,” said Mark White, a chain account executive with MillerCoors.

An estimated 200 families were scheduled to receive the food donations.

The families were selected by Operation Homefront for the event. The program provides money, food and other assistance to troops, veterans and their families.

The veterans or active-duty troops in the chosen families all are enlisted personnel from the Chicago area, White said.

Participants received supermarket gift cards and were able to pose for photographs with the athletes, too. The operation took place in the parking lot outside the store.

The 12 Bears players who participated are rookies on this year’s squad. Among them was offensive lineman Kyle Long.

“I’m happy to be here and to help families in need and to thank them for their service,” Long said.

An additional 200 families are set to receive similar gifts at a Jewel store in Stickney on Tuesday.

Ÿ Daily Herald photographer Gilbert R. Boucher II contributed to this report.