Emergency food distribution in Chinatown

Friday morning’s food distribution was organized by the combined efforts of several community-based nonprofits.

People started to line up 30 minutes before the door opened at 11. Everyone who came to the distribution was wearing a mask and some stretched out their arms when other people got too close.

An indoor basketball court was utilized for the food distribution.

The food box included cheese, 5 pounds of potatoes, rice, beans, broccoli, carrots, apples and so on.

People get their tickets to get a box of food.

A senior smoked a cigarette while waiting.

Volunteers asked people to stand 6 feet apart while they waited.

A woman walked out with a box of food.

People kept coming while all the 240 food tickets had been handed out quickly. Many residents went back home empty-handed.

	By Carolyn Chen, Arts & Culture Editor, The Real Chi

Around 240 boxes of food were distributed at Chinese Christian Union Church in Chinatown on the morning of Friday, April 24. 

Although the distribution was not planned to start until 11 a.m., the tickets by which people could claim food disbursements had been handed out completely before by 10:45 a.m. causing many residents to return home empty-handed.

The distribution was coordinated by Economic Strategies Development Corporation (ESDC), in collaboration with Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Christian Union Church (CCUC), Pui Tak Center and State Representative of the second District, Theresa Mah. 

“We strive to bring some support to the families that are suffering in providing food during this COVID pandemic,” Alexis Esparza, ESDC president said.

ESDC has organized similar events in Chicago’s East Side and Pilsen communities. It collected the food using its connections with local food distributors, restaurants and other businesses that are willing to support. More than ten volunteers from CCUC helped pack the food, disburse the tickets and distribute the food.

Volunteers remind people of social distancing rules by asking them to stand at least six feet apart while they waited. Disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and other cleaning materials were made available at the site.