A West Side couple will again host their annual Thanksgiving meal event on Sunday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m., at their restaurant and are asking for monetary donations to help purchase the necessary items.
“We don’t want anyone in our community to go without a hot meal on Thanksgiving,” said Margaret Mojica, co-owner with her husband, William, of the Artist Room Cafe/Kingdom Business Builders, 5125 W. Madison St., Chicago.
Prior to the U.S. government reopening and the resumption of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments expected this month, the Mojicas were anticipating a larger turnout than last year. This could still happen, they said, as families get back on track.
This year marks the 12th straight year the Mojicas hosted the event. Last year’s event served about 100 people.
“No matter what’s happening around us, good or bad, we’ve always kept this tradition going,” Margaret Mojica said.
According to internal data compiled by Bank of America, in 2025 nearly a quarter of all households are estimated to live paycheck to paycheck. Although the data shows some increase in these households year-over-year the pace of growth has slowed nearly 3 times from 2024 levels.
The analysis points out the number of lower-income households (especially Millennials and Gen X) living paycheck to paycheck continues to rise while there is almost no increase in the number of higher- and middle-income households.
In 2025, food insecurity in the U.S. remains a significant concern.
A Purdue University report indicates that 14% of U.S. households reported food insecurity on average between January and October, up from 12.5% in 2024. The increase is attributed to persistently high grocery costs and U.S. wages failing to keep pace with inflation.
“Honestly, it’s heartbreaking,” Margaret Mojica said. “Parents shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can feed their children, especially during the holidays. That’s why this Thanksgiving meal is so important to us. It’s one small way we can help ease that burden and remind people they’re not alone.”
The Mojicas consider themselves blessed to be able to give back to their community in this way.
“Even with any adversity we may face as a family, we find ourselves extremely blessed,” William Mojica said. “And as so, we are fortunate enough to be a blessing to others and in doing so we are able to set an example for our children on how we as humans should treat each other.”
Because the need is growing, the Mojicas are asking for donations to help keep their Thanksgiving meal tradition going. Anyone who would like to support can make a donation at this link https://pay.artistroomcafe.com/Donate.