CHICAGO: Twenty members of American Sikh Community of Chicago helped feed the homeless on Christmas Day at Salvation Army head office in Chicago. This was close on one such feeding done on Thanksgiving Day.
Motivated by S. Sarwan Singh and Bibi Jasvir Kaur Singh, Sikhs have been doing this since 1992. Sikh Religious Society of Palatine and Illinois Sikh Community from Wheaton spread the word. People contribute money and work voluntarily for the event.
Some families have been associated with SEWA since its beginning and feel that this was how Baba Nanak started Langar. Many of these homeless people bring kids with them who otherwise may not get any food, let alone hot lunch. Kids were also given free toys donated by other charities. There were people from other faiths too, like Jews, who were helping out.
There was plenty of hot food for over 500 people. They also got fresh pies and different types of drinks including hot tea and coffee. S Singh donated canned food items too. Major Nancy Powers of Salvation Army thanked the Sikhs and expressed her desire to bring more non-Sikhs to Gurdwara Sahib on her next visit to Gurdwara. She said, “I have really enjoyed my visit to the Gurdwara and the respect showed to me by Sikh Sangat.” This year many Sikh youth also joined the SEWA.
Salvation Army provides drug de-addiction at their new location and prepares the homeless for regular jobs and ultimately home ownership. They are located at 825 Christiana Ave in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Thakar Basati
