Saint Sabina’s 5th ‘Operation Hope’ Free Hot Dinner Giveaway Set

By Chinta Strausberg

In just two-weeks, the fifth “Operation Hope” will come to the Auburn Gresham community and an expected 2,000 people will once again wrap around the popular BJ’s Market & Bakery at 79^th and Racine where Father Michael L. Pfleger, executives from the Johnson Publishing Company and other V.I.P.’s will pass out free, home-cooked hot dinners.

Just nine-days before Christmas, the giveaway, which is the brainchild of Father Pfleger and Terry Peterson, Vice President of Government Affairs, Rush University Medical Center, will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at BJ’s. They dubbed the annual event “Operation Hope: Feeding the Community.”

Father Pfleger will be joined by the sponsors, Johnson Publishing Chairman Linda Johnson Rice, her CEO, Desiree Rogers, Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16), Peterson, John Meyer, owner of BJ’s, and many more,

WVON will broadcast live from BJ’s.

Father Pfleger said, “Operation Hope” has been a tremendous success thanks to the sponsors, Pfleger said.

Once people enter BJ’s, they are greeted by Father Pfleger, his staff, those of the restaurant, Johnson Publishing officials,  Meyer, his aunt, Dr. Irene DuBois a retired college professor, Ebony Magazine and other volunteers.

Representing a microcosm of the community, those who have attended this event were seniors, adults, and the youth including parents pushing their babies in strollers. The event is almost like feeding your own family.

When contacted, Mr. Meyer said, “Last year, we served 2,300 people. We hope to get to that number this year. We are excited about this year’s ‘Operation Hope,’ and we look forward to the event. It shows we can give back and are able to do it in a very short time.”

‘Operation Hope’ is also a day when numerous elected officials stop by for photo ops and to give their congratulations and season’s greetings.

Pfleger said: “In this season of Christmas when everybody is so obsessed with buying gifts and shopping, the reason of this season is because God gave us His son.

“It’s about giving and what better time to show the real meaning of Christmas and to be out here and giving people food and feeding people. He gave us His life.

“We’re just trying to give people food…a good meal from one of the best restaurants in the city of Chicago in order to show we don’t forget the people who are struggling and hurting,” said Pfleger.

“A whole lot of banks and things have gotten better, but the people in the street are still struggling,” said Pfleger.

Referring to the Auburn-Gresham community, he said: “About 34 percent of this community is unemployed. It’s a great opportunity to partner,” Pfleger said thanking his sponsors for their contributions and time.

“There is no better thing to do than to help people. This is what Christmas is all about,” Pfleger stated.

All are welcome to attend this free event.

Dinners will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.