Thousands of halal turkeys found their way into the hands of families in need this week through citywide holiday giveaways, as residents in Chicago and beyond navigate uncertainty over federal food assistance.
On Saturday morning, members of the charity Zakat Chicago distributed 5,600 turkeys across 35 locations as part of its third annual Feasting with Dignity campaign.
Zakat Chicago member Salman Mohiuddin said this year’s distribution was their largest yet and was crucial to helping families struggling with the lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the historic 43-day government shutdown that ended earlier this month.
“Sometimes we take for granted what we have and it’s important to give back and support those who need it most,” said Mohiuddin, emphasizing that families across the city deserve to enjoy the holidays without worrying about whether they’ll have enough to eat.
Candace Rivas of South Shore, one of hundreds who received a turkey during a South Side giveaway, said her SNAP benefits were reduced during the shutdown, leaving her without sufficient funds to feed her three children.
Rivas, 29, said she had to stop working to care for her grandparents and was dependent on the assistance to support her family.
“There’s so many families like mine who need help,” said Rivas. “Sometimes people can’t work and receive benefits to put food on their table, and when benefits get cut off, what are they supposed to do? It’s a blessing that there’s people who are willing to help and organize events like this.”
SNAP funds were delayed and then reduced during the shutdown. Rivas said she normally receives about $670 a month for groceries, but during the shutdown she got only around $100 — nowhere near enough to cover her family’s needs.
Although President Donald Trump signed a bill Nov. 12 to reopen the government through January and fund SNAP through next September, Rivas still wasn’t sure when her benefits would return to normal levels.
She’s among 1.8 million people in Illinois who get SNAP benefits each month, each receiving about $370 on average, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Mayor Brandon Johnson stopped by the Zakat Chicago event, joining volunteers as he passed out turkey-filled bags to Rivas and other families.
“We cannot allow and accept for any Chicagoan to be hungry,” Johnson said during a speech.
Last week, Johnson signed an executive order directing additional city resources to local community organizations, nonprofits, food pantries and faith institutions who are “working to address the ongoing uncertainty around SNAP benefits,” he said.
