St. Demetrios provides 1,000 meals for Waukegan families

Outreach ministries have been in place for decades at St. Demetrios Orthodox Church in Libertyville, including food donations made to local pantries after the church's annual festivals.

Those festivals were put on hold this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn't stop the church from rallying to help those in need.

Monday, the Rev. John Sardis, a retired priest of the church, and a few church members prepared food to feed 1,000 Waukegan students and their families. Athenian-style chicken, rice, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, bread and brownies were on the menu.

The meals were packaged Tuesday morning and sent to the Waukegan Unit District 60 Welcome Center for distribution. More than a dozen volunteers and members of the Waukegan Fire Department helped to load the truck.

"Helping and supporting our neighbors in need is always important, especially during the Christmas season," Sardis said Tuesday. "This year more than ever, we recognize the need that exists and we are fortunate that we are able to offer assistance."

Sardis said multiple organizations, groups and individuals had a hand in offsetting the cost. He thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael Symeonides of Chicago, Lewis Produce, Lenos Sub shop, Gojo's Restaurant, the Iskalis family, Nick's Used Appliances, Nikoletta Frangos, Tom Fourkas and family, as well as many church members.

Symeonides called Tuesday's event "an expression of our love and solidarity for all those in need."

"Making Christ part of our DNA means that we must be our brother's keeper. We must show love and compassion for others," he said.

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is also providing gifts for 600 children.

St. Demetrios is planning Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, but at lower in-person capacity to comply with the governor's mitigation guidelines. Services will all be livestreamed. For more information, visit saintdemetrioslibertyville.com.