(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Des Plaines resident Ann Marie Frank was inspired when her sister was looking for people to donate food after the pandemic forced some pantries to close their doors.
"Little did I know that the little sentence, 'I wanna get involved' would lead to where we are today."
It all started in Frank's kitchen.
Each week, she'd make 100 lunches to hand out to Chicago's homeless population.
"We would deliver them under the viaduct at Fullerton and Diversey," said Frank. "Wherever we could find a tent city in Chicago."
But word got out and her project kept growing, so Loving Lunches became a registered 501(c)3 and Frank moved the operations to her dance studio, AMA Academy of Performing Arts.
"We started asking our students if they would make a card to put in each bag, and it would just say something like 'You matter,' 'We love you,' 'You're beautiful,' and then draw a picture," said Frank. "So then the recipient knows that there was a person behind the lunch made for them."
To date, Loving Lunches has assembled and distributed more than 26,000 meals to the homeless.
Some of the young people and adults who help create the messages contained in Loving Lunches.Loving Lunches
Frank said it's been a humbling journey. The best part is teaching young leaders how to give back to their community, she said.
"I just would like to see the next generation, and all the craziness in our world, be more compassionate and be more giving and think of others before themselves. If we could all do that, what a wonderful world this would be."
Those interested in getting involved with Loving Lunches can email Ann Marie Frank at LovingLunches2020@gmail.com or call AMA Academy of Performing Arts at 847-299-2233.
