Groups lend helping hand, warm meals to homeless living under Kennedy Expressway

Volunteers set out food for the homeless to take during a food distribution for the homeless event under the overpass near W Fullerton and the Kennedy expressway in Bucktown, Thursday, April 15, 2021. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Several volunteers gathered Thursday to distribute food, water, PPE, sanitary items and other supplies.

The smell of fresh Middle Eastern cuisine wafted through the air below the Kennedy Expressway Thursday, past a row of tents, line of cars and several members of local community groups who came out to lend a hand to the area’s homeless.

Two groups, Georgia Doty Comprehensive Health and Zakat Foundation of America, teamed up to bring the warm meal, as well as, groceries, sanitary products and PPE to those who live under the overpass near West Fullerton in Bucktown.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

President and CEO of Georgia Doty Comprehensive Health Don Doty poses for a portrait during a food distribution for the homeless event, Thursday, April 15, 2021.

Don Doty, president and CEO of Georgia Doty Comprehensive Health, which works to provide health awareness and education, said as a disabled veteran, he is committed to reaching those that are underserved to provide essential resources and services.

He said the event marked the first of many similar one his group has planned this year.

Claudia Martinez, program manager at Zakat Foundation of America, said during Ramadan it provides fresh meals to the homeless every week in different locations. The group appeals to Muslims who are fasting, who also look to give back during this time.

“Our campaign is, ‘Feel the hunger to do good,’” Martinez said. “ ... It’s important for us to be in our city and involved.”

The foundation handed out meals from Al Bawadi Grill, which has locations in Niles and Bridgeview.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Beverly Walker, COO of Georgia Doty Comprehensive Health helped hand out food and bags of supplies to homeless individuals made possible through donations.

Georgia Doty COO Beverly Walker said it was important that her organization got involved because COVID-19 has “caused a lot of devastation in the community” and led to rising unemployment.

“We thought we would start small, come out and help these smaller areas where the people are in tents, and then move on once we can build our revenue and help larger areas and more people in the community,” Walker said.

At the event, volunteers gave out canned goods, water, rescue blankets and care kits with disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, masks, soap, washcloths and toothpaste.

Walker said all the supplies distributed were made possible through donations. In February, Georgia Doty Comprehensive Health received a $2,000 donation from Jewel Osco, and Heartfield Chicago donated 100 reusable masks and 100 bottles of hand sanitizer.

Because the homeless are at greater risk for adverse health conditions like COVID-19, Doty said his organization partnered with Loretto Hospital to provide general health screenings and COVID-19 tests. However, none of the residents elected to leave their tents take part in the screenings.

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Zakat Foundation of America Regional Programs Manager Claudia P. Martinez Patino, left, Beverly Walker, center, President and CEO of Georgia Doty Comprehensive Health, right talk about arranging food during a food distribution for the homeless event.

Albert Alexander, owner of the Chicago-based organization A Special Place for Veterans, also was at the even Thursday. He said its holistic human health program works to house veterans, get them back into the workforce and feed the homeless, among other things.

He said the first step to permanently solving homelessness on a local level is talking to homeless populations to see what they need and want in terms of resources, and helping people sustain themselves through funding.

“I [want] people to know that people still care, and that even though this is only a little bit, we’re still willing to do it as often as we can,” Alexander said.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Julio Mendoza receives food from a volunteer during a food distribution for the homeless event under the overpass near W Fullerton and the Kennedy expressway in Bucktown, Thursday, April 15, 2021.

Julio Mendoza, a Mexican immigrant who has been in the U.S. for 33 years, was one of the people served on Thursday. He was grateful for the organizations and their services, which have been like “blessings from God.”

Mendoza became homeless after he had to get part of his foot amputated and was no longer able to work or pay rent.

He said due to COVID-19 he is unable to stay at a homeless shelter and he has no family to live with. He is hoping to get a job so he can begin earning a living.

That’s the longterm goal, Doty said: to help those who are homeless find employment or an entrepreneurial activity to make an income.

Doty said he is committed to carry on his mom’s legacy.

“I made this promise to God that if I could change my life, I’d like to change somebody else’s life,” Doty said.

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