This holiday season, READI Chicago community partners and supporters came together to ensure READI participants and their families were able to celebrate and give thanks over a traditional home-cooked Thanksgiving meal.
Catered by Design, a Chicagoland catering company celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, donated dozens of individual and family-style prepared meals to READI participants on the day before Thanksgiving. Reflecting on a successful business year and the isolation many felt last year celebrating the holidays amid COVID-19, Thomas Schabow, director of marketing for Catered by Design, said it was important for the company to find a way to give back this year.
“People tend to really focus on giving to families around the holidays, and it seems like individuals and single adults are often overlooked around this time,” Thomas said. “That’s why I wanted to make sure our donations went to individuals as well, to make this year a little brighter for everyone.”
The Zakat Foundation, an Englewood community partner, also donated supplies to give participants the opportunity to cook their own Thanksgiving meal. In the days before the holiday, participants received turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and more—everything needed to give thanks with families and loved ones this season.
