Students Volunteer to Feed Chicago’s Hungry

The Bread Truck helps feed the city’s hungry.
The Bread Truck helps feed the city’s hungry.         Tom Cook

Each week, students have the opportunity to travel to impoverished neighborhoods in order to serve food to those who need it with the Bread Truck.

“We leave from campus at 5:45pm every Monday night, and every Tuesday or Thursday night (depending on which week it is). So there are two opportunities for students every week to serve dinner on the Bread Truck,” said Tom Cook, a weekly volunteer and coordinator of the Bread Truck.

Cook also mentioned certain things that students should bring with them or be ready for.

“Students should dress warm as we are outside almost the entire evening. Students should bring a smile, an open mind, and a readiness to experience poverty in Chicago that perhaps they have never seen before,” said Cook.

Upon meeting in front of the Chapel, students will take a ride to The Port Industries, where they will meet the man in charge of the Bread Truck.

His name is Anthony, and he has the readiness and inspiration it takes to serve the people in need.

work with him. Not to mention that he is known to give many of his volunteers interesting nicknames while working with the Truck.

“The typical night involves packing the Bread Truck with sandwiches, food bags, and hot chocolate. We then drive around the Back of the Yards neighborhood and make 4-5 stops at different intersections to hand out food. Volunteers hand out food and drink to people and engage in small talk and conversation with the people we’re serving,” said Cook.

For many students, this is a new experience. Not only are they helping those who are in need of a meal, but they are learning more and witnessing the poverty that resides so close to home.

“While only a 30 minute drive from SXU, the poverty of the neighborhood we serve on the Bread Truck makes it feel like a whole different world compared to the neighborhood SXU resides in,” said Cook.

“Serving on the bread truck is truly an eye-opening experience as it allows us to see the poverty that exists right in our own backyard,” said first year student and volunteer, Marissa Hohman.

For Hohman, the experience pushes students to be more aware of the problems in the city.

“We all live in a bubble of sorts and I believe it is very important to go out of our comfort zones and be awakened on what is going on right around us,” Hohman said.

Cook commented on the effect that trips like this can have on students.

“Students really feel like they’re making a difference in the lives of the people they’re serving,” Cook said.

The reward for Cook is helping those who cannot feed themselves.

“People show up to the truck hungry and you are able to help them immediately and give them something to eat. There’s also a good number of children who show up at the Bread Truck stops needing something to eat and it’s always nice to see them leave with a smile on their face after they’ve have gotten their food,” Cook said.

If any student wants to volunteer one evening, they should contact Tom Cook at tcook@sxu.edu or visit the Ministry Center to reserve a spot and sign up.

The truck only takes up to four people each visit so it is important to reserve a spot as early as possible.

Julie Gardner
News Editor