(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago is always coldest for those who have nowhere indoors to go. Street outreach teams are out linking the city’s unhoused population with critical resources.
“Yeah, and you'd be surprised, you know, when you give them a warm meal, it puts a smile on their face,” Faraz Sardharia said.
Sardharia is Secretary for the local non-profit Chi-Care, which provides hot meals year round, across six routes in Chicago, serving thousands of homeless individuals each week. They turn up the dial during colder months, with winter kits that include blankets, gloves, hats and other warm clothing along with propane and heaters.
Their goal is to address needs beyond what any given cold day may bring.
“It allows us to maintain our relationships and our conversations with the unhoused, and then on the other end, we try to connect them with organizations that provide wraparound services so that they can find housing eventually.”
Nick Dogali is the administrator for local non-profit Chi Care, he hopes building relationships will allow them to be able to provide more than just a day's respite for unhoused individuals.
With wraparound services often denied when offered, Dogali said that Chi-Care starts with serving hot meals to thousands of unhoused individuals across the city each week, and then sticking around just to talk.
“They recognize, wow, there's, there's humanity out there, people actually do care.
They're not just dropping off food and bailing. We actually talk to these people and it does change you,” Dogali said.
“It makes you realize, wow, there's people out there that can actually use your help, and it's not that hard.”
Chi-Care and similar organizations are always looking for volunteers, cash, or other donations, from individuals or corporations.
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