Des Plaines foundation, local businesses serve Thanksgiving to the disabled, seniors

The Des Plaines Community Foundation, Sunrise Grill and Sysco Chicago worked together to provide and deliver Thanksgiving Day dinners recently. As a result, more than 283 individuals, homebound seniors and people with disabilities had a very happy Thanksgiving.

"This is our 10th year making the meals and delivering the turkey dinners," said Rosemary Argus, executive director of the DPCF. "It's a group effort. Turkey dinners were delivered to those in wheelchairs, on oxygen and the blind, all those who have difficulty leaving their homes."

Sunrise Grill, 1928-30 E. Touhy Ave., joined in on the Thanksgiving Day dinners. Owner Chef Jose Medina and his wife Maria, their three sons and friends, as well as staff, donated their time and skill to help DPCF on Thanksgiving. The Medinas roasted all the turkey breasts and fixings for the dinners this year.

Sysco Chicago provided 160 pounds of turkey breasts, vegetables and potatoes. Sunrise Grill roasted the turkey. Volunteers packaged the corn, sweet potatoes, main entree, bread and pumpkin pie.

In addition to the dinner, Northwest Suburban Day Care provided handmade place mats for each meal, which included handprints made into turkeys and the words "Happy Thanksgiving."

According to Argus, the list of people who were served through the Thanksgiving Day program consisted of Des Plaines residents who requested assistance by calling the Neighbors Helping Neighbors hotline at (888) 646-8898.

Everyone on both the Neighbors Helping Neighbors list and the Des Plaines church lists were called to confirm they would be home on Thanksgiving Day and enjoyed having a cooked meal delivered.

Local volunteers, including a large number from Sysco Foods, delivered meals between 10 a.m. and noon on Thanksgiving Day. Most of the volunteer drivers were Sysco volunteers and Des Plaines Community Foundation volunteers. DPCF board trustees who came to work were Rich Holke, president, Kathy Puetz, Bob Argus and Chris Peterson.

Brothers Tanner, Trevor, and Paul DuVair helped coordinate the driver pickup and brought the food to the drivers' cars.

The Mount Prospect Kids Pantry donated 300 pounds of Peet's Coffee so they could put a pound of coffee in every bag with each person's dinner.

Sysco Chicago also recently donated $15,000 to support Des Plaines Community Foundation programs. The donation was a result of the Sysco Chicago's "Nourishing Neighbors" initiative for community outreach in the city of Des Plaines.

"Nourishing Neighbors is an endeavor that directs Sysco's charitable donations primarily to local agencies working to get healthy and nutritious food where it's needed," said Lynne England administrative assistant - sales - at Sysco Chicago, Inc. "We care for people by giving back, doing well and changing lives in our communities."

Argus said, a donation of this magnitude goes a long way to enhance the programs that provide direct services to those in need.

"We are honored that Sysco Chicago chose to support the vital work we do in the community to heal and strengthen the lives of children and families," said Argus. "We are fortunate to have such a support system of sponsors, friends and family that have come together to help the DPCF initiatives. This is a really touching program to provide for these families. We appreciate all the volunteers' hard work on Thanksgiving Day. This is one of the most satisfying things that we've done."

Neighbors Helping Neighbors delivers on about 500 requests for help from Des Plaines residents in need every year. The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program links the community with information on where they can get financial assistance and where food can be received.

All residents have to do is call the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Hot Line, (888) 646-8898, and request help.

Every year the DPCF and Sysco Chicago have worked together to provide, cook and deliver Thanksgiving Day dinners. As a result, more than 250 plus families, homebound seniors and people with disabilities have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

The foundation also helps to keep the elderly living in their homes for as long as possible, helping to cut the grass, shovel snow and provide emergency plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning repairs as they occur.

"We want seniors to live with dignity and independence for as long as possible," said Argus.

The Des Plaines Community Foundation recently donated $15,000 to area food pantries. The donations were split between three local food pantries, including Self Help Pantry of Des Plaines, Maine Township Food Pantry and Elk Grove Township Food Pantry.

"DPCF also granted $3,000 to Bessie's Table, $3,000 to Catholic Charities and $3,000 to Feed My Starving Children - all of which provide weekly drive-through food dinners," said Holke.

"Our foundation donates to all the local pantries as well as many of the religious organizations that provide meals during the week for the needy of Des Plaines," Argus added.

Some of the programs include; Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program Committee; Healthy Community/Healthy Youth Program Committee; Intergenerational Program Committee; and Seasons of Service Program Committee.

The foundation has no paid employees and is 100% volunteer. The foundation is a 501c3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, and corporate tax-deductible contributions as well as from other foundations.

For information on becoming a student volunteer, visit www.desplainescommunityfoundation.org. Future volunteers can call Rosemary Argus at (847) 525-5566.