Barack Obama surprises Chicago food bank volunteers and helps prepare Thanksgiving meal bags

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By VT

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It's almost Thanksgiving, when American families gather together for an epic feast and try not to talk about politics. (And usually fail once the wine starts flowing.) Or, if you've living far away from your family, you gather for pals for 'Friendsgiving' and give cooking an epic feast your best shot. (And maybe you take a moment to troll your mom, by asking how long to cook a 25 pound turkey in the microwave.)

But not everyone is fortunate enough to be blessed with abundant food and a roof over their head. In Cook County, Illinois, The Greater Chicago Food Depository prepares Thanksgiving meal bags for more than 700 shelters and food panties. They believe that no one that should go hungry, especially during the holiday season.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/FoodDepository/status/1065001878352740353]]
On Tuesday, the Food Depository got a big surprise, as former president Barack Obama made an announced visit. Although he was born in Honolulu, Chicago is basically his adopted hometown, where he worked as a community organizer and was elected to the US Senate. "How's it going? This is a spiffy-looking spot right here," exclaimed the Obama, as he strolled in, wearing a Chicago White Sox cap. (That's right, he's a longtime Sox fan. Sorry, Cubs!) The volunteers were clearly delighted to see him.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ObamaFoundation/status/1065309361906561025]]
On Twitter, the Food Depository and the Obama Foundation shared videos of the ex-president's visit. While meeting the crew, he encounters two little girls volunteering, and gives them a hug. "You guys are doing such a great job helping out," said Obama, "I'm really proud of you." Then he put on latex gloves and worked alongside the volunteers. While packing potatoes in bags, he asked his neighbors if he was doing it correctly. "They said he was doing a pretty good job for a community organizer," said volunteer Kent Steffen, according to The Chicago Tribune. Ha! Solid burn!

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1065056512324919296]]

The former POTUS still lives in Washington, D.C., but was in the Windy City for the Obama Foundation Summit. "The Obama Foundation is guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history," states their website. "Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone." At the summit, students, community leaders, and diverse speakers gathered to discuss building a better future. (Once a community organizer, always a community organizer!)

When he was president, Obama visited food banks multiple times, and was frequently joined by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia. In 2015, he spent the day before Thanksgiving serving dinner to homeless people and military veterans at a shelter in Washington D.C. "It's not only of the spirit of giving during this holiday season, but our national obligation to make sure all those who serve and sacrifice for our country have a place to call home," said Obama.

Barack Obama surprises Chicago food bank volunteers and helps prepare Thanksgiving meal bags

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

It's almost Thanksgiving, when American families gather together for an epic feast and try not to talk about politics. (And usually fail once the wine starts flowing.) Or, if you've living far away from your family, you gather for pals for 'Friendsgiving' and give cooking an epic feast your best shot. (And maybe you take a moment to troll your mom, by asking how long to cook a 25 pound turkey in the microwave.)

But not everyone is fortunate enough to be blessed with abundant food and a roof over their head. In Cook County, Illinois, The Greater Chicago Food Depository prepares Thanksgiving meal bags for more than 700 shelters and food panties. They believe that no one that should go hungry, especially during the holiday season.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/FoodDepository/status/1065001878352740353]]
On Tuesday, the Food Depository got a big surprise, as former president Barack Obama made an announced visit. Although he was born in Honolulu, Chicago is basically his adopted hometown, where he worked as a community organizer and was elected to the US Senate. "How's it going? This is a spiffy-looking spot right here," exclaimed the Obama, as he strolled in, wearing a Chicago White Sox cap. (That's right, he's a longtime Sox fan. Sorry, Cubs!) The volunteers were clearly delighted to see him.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ObamaFoundation/status/1065309361906561025]]
On Twitter, the Food Depository and the Obama Foundation shared videos of the ex-president's visit. While meeting the crew, he encounters two little girls volunteering, and gives them a hug. "You guys are doing such a great job helping out," said Obama, "I'm really proud of you." Then he put on latex gloves and worked alongside the volunteers. While packing potatoes in bags, he asked his neighbors if he was doing it correctly. "They said he was doing a pretty good job for a community organizer," said volunteer Kent Steffen, according to The Chicago Tribune. Ha! Solid burn!

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1065056512324919296]]

The former POTUS still lives in Washington, D.C., but was in the Windy City for the Obama Foundation Summit. "The Obama Foundation is guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history," states their website. "Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone." At the summit, students, community leaders, and diverse speakers gathered to discuss building a better future. (Once a community organizer, always a community organizer!)

When he was president, Obama visited food banks multiple times, and was frequently joined by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia. In 2015, he spent the day before Thanksgiving serving dinner to homeless people and military veterans at a shelter in Washington D.C. "It's not only of the spirit of giving during this holiday season, but our national obligation to make sure all those who serve and sacrifice for our country have a place to call home," said Obama.