Before Thanksgiving, McDonald’s Operators of Chicagoland are hosting their 24th annual ‘Food for the Body & Spirit giveaway’. The event was founded by Chicago’s BMOA (Black McDonalds Operators Association) to help families in need during the holiday season. In 2020, the event expanded to the wider Chicago-area community of McDonald’s owner/operators.

The two-week, 17-activation holiday series lasting from November 5th to November 22nd. More than 7,300 turkeys will be distributed to families across the greater Chicagoland area and Northwest Indiana. Our Jon Hansen joined the team in Elmwood Park Thursday morning, with owner/operators Ellen and Saleh Al-Hajje, special assistant to the chief of Elmwood Park police Carlos Rodriguez and several more McDonald’s teammates.

• Jon’s ready to hand out his first turkey dinner at the Elmwood Park McDonald’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Jon and the McDonald’s team were ready anyone that drove up and walked up to the Elmwood Park location. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• HYPED TO HELP! Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The full team that helped out, including Elmwood Park McDonald’s owner/operators Ellen and Saleh Al-Hajje. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• ‘WE NEED ANOTHER ONE!” Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Here comes the snow. Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Snow won’t stop this squad in Elmwood Park. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Representatives from Ronald McDonald House were also in Elmwood Park to help. Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Jon Hansen with Elmwood Park special assistant to the chief of police Carlos Rodriguez. Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Elmwood Park McDonald’s Owner/Operator Saleh Al-Hajje handed out hot cocoa, and we all appreciate him for doing so. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• One more team photo after the last turkey was handed out. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

As the event wrapped up, Jon called in to WGN Radio to give Bob Sirott and WGN Radio listeners an update: