With 200 or more people expected to show up for her Second Annual Thanksgiving Feed the Community event Saturday, Glam Chicago Executive Director LaTasha Henry and her team of volunteers and donors said they are ready to serve.
“I expect a large turnout,” Henry told the Austin Weekly News. “We’re looking to serve a minimum of 200 people. We’ve already prepared ourselves that if we run out of food, we won’t leave anyone hungry. If someone is in line, we will make sure the restaurants pull out beef, burgers or whatever to make sure no one is left hungry.”
Henry’s estimation comes from the number of fliers Hook Fish and Chicken, one of the partner restaurants, sent out.
“They created 2,500 fliers,” Henry said. “I’ve had people call me asking how they could get involved. I’ve had individuals from the South Side of Chicago tag me in a social media post. This guy has 70,000 followers. I don’t know where this information may land so I want to be prepared.”
Henry knows well how to handle large turnouts as she’s been organizing and holding feed-the-community events for about ten years on her own and two years with Growing Lovely and Maturely, or GLAM, her Chicago nonprofit that’s dedicated to fostering confidence and self-esteem among high school and middle school girls through mentorship, counseling and other programs. She also has an online business called Glam Dolls Chicago.
Henry said she decided to mentor young girls after losing her teenage niece to a health issue in 2022.
This community dinner is the monthly community service portion of her nonprofit.
“I teach them how to build and engage in healthy relationships,” Henry explained. “We also focus on conflict mediation and de-escalation.”
Firehouse Grill owner, Zuhayr Hammad is among those who donated food. He will cook the food along with Hook Fish and Chicken next door.
“Firehouse will supply chicken and mostaccioli,” Henry said. “Estate Chicago, a mobile catering company on Chicago’s South Side, will provide other side items. We have a lot of community volunteers coming out.”
Hammad told the Austin Weekly news that he is taking part in the event as a way to give back to the community.
“I wanted to do something for the holidays to give back. My marketing manager introduced me to LaTasha,” Hammad said. “My philosophy is you’ve got to give back no matter what.”
No matter how many people show up, the team is prepared to continue feeding until everyone is fed. Hammad will coordinate with Hook Fish and Chicken as they cook the food throughout the day, working together as a team.
“We just want to put a full plate of food for each person,” Hammad said.
Davina Lasure, a member of Henry’s church, purchased eight cakes to donate for the event. She’s also donating green beans and will volunteer her time tomorrow.
“This is what I love to do,” Lasure said. “I actually have a nonprofit myself called Cover with Love, that I run out of my home to feed and help those in need. We attend the same church. What I love about her event is that it’s out in the community and is feeding everybody. I love the concept of people being able to just come up and eat because it’s out in the area where people are.”
A Trade for a Trade, a new Austin community nonprofit that assists young Black men in getting trade degrees, is a supporting partner.
Black Men United, a national community service organization that focuses on the restoration and rebuilding of Black communities under the leadership of Black, was also among the organizations that responded to Henry’s call for donors and volunteers.
Though turkey is not part of the menu, baked and fried chicken and all the other traditional sides that are usually part of Thanksgiving dinner such as cabbage, macaroni, sweet potatoes, green beans, spaghetti, mashed potatoes, meatballs, etc., will be part of the spread.
A DJ and a face painter will be part of the festivities.
Loretto Hospital will be on hand to provide health screenings and health information. A representative from the Department of Human Services will also be on hand to sign individuals up for SNAP and medical benefits. The Community Healing Resource Centers (CHRC) will be there as well.
The CHRC Network provides trauma-informed care and resources to survivors of gun violence and other traumatic experiences in high-risk communities.
The event is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Anyone who could use a hot meal in the spirit of Thanksgiving can show up at the Firehouse Grill parking lot, 5646 W. Roosevelt Rd. Tents and tables will be set up there.