Pandemic sparks Glenbrook South grad to create Memory Meals initiative
Chris Tang has taken the term homework to a happy extreme.
During his time at Glenbrook South High School, Tang was a member of the school's service-oriented activities, Interact and Key Club, but "never really a leader," he said.
"I just participated now and then," he said.
Since graduating, though, he's kicked his service commitment into overdrive with an initiative he calls "Memory Meals," sparked by the COVID-19 crisis.
He's invited people to create packaged breakfasts and drop them off at his house or to pledge money he'll use to make meals for distribution to social service agencies.
In a document he sent to fellow members of Glenbrook South's Class of 2020, Tang noted that a breakfast costs all of $1.50 to create.
The "meals" part is obvious; "memory" relates to the positive feeling of helping others - "creating this memory for themselves and making a difference," he said.
"I think just having all that time in quarantine and hearing all those stories about the struggles people are having, it just felt right, I guess, to create Memory Meals and to support them," Tang said.
The Memory Meals effort last month targeted Housing Forward, a Maywood-based nonprofit. Its mission is to transition people in 21 west Cook County communities from "housing crisis to housing stability," according to its website.
Tang, with his brothers Ivan and Nathan, has dropped off a week's worth of bagged meals there each Saturday for the past month.
This month and in August, his service shifts to Rogers Park. He will be working with the faith-based UR Chicago Alliance and is exploring relationships with other organizations such as the Howard Area Community Center. As of June 29, Memory Meals had packed and donated more than 800 meals. Tang's goal over the summer is 2,020, in honor of Glenbrook South's Class of 2020.
"I'd like to thank those that donated to Memory Meals, because their generosity is much appreciated by those who've received it," he said.
To participate in Memory Meals, Tang asks people to contact him through email at ctang500@gmail.com or by sending a text message to (847) 736-9456.
A Titans boys tennis co-captain whose senior season was canceled by COVID-19, Tang hopes to continue playing club or intramural tennis at Purdue University, where he plans to study computer science and data science.
His departure to West Lafayette may not be the end of Memory Meals.
"Once I leave I might pitch it to some of the clubs at Glenbrook South, like Interact or Key Club," Tang said. "Just giving it legs to new people and seeing if they want to continue. Nothing's set in stone yet, but I would definitely like for it to become a normal thing, where we continue to support those who need it."