- Credibility:
UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — A pair of independent restaurant owners from Ukrainian Village and Logan Square are teaming up this week to deliver free meals to Chicagoans experiencing homelessness.
Robert Magiet, owner of TaKorea Cocina in Ukrainian Village, and Jason Vincent, owner of Giant in Logan Square and Chef’s Special in Bucktown, are using Giant’s food truck to provide hot meals to the unhoused community. On Tuesday, for example, the truck served meals to residents of Breakthrough, an East Garfield Park shelter.
The effort began Monday and will end Sunday, but it’s not too late for neighbors to donate or suggest drop-off locations, Magiet said.
“We are going to go out for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day,” Magiet said.
If you have a suggestion for where Magiet and Vincent should drive the food truck, email westtownfeeds@gmail.com. Those wishing to donate to the effort can do so via Venmo, @takoreacocina, or Zelle at 773-807-0057.
In a flyer, the Giant and Chef’s Special team wrote that using the food truck was a “small gesture” to support those in need.
Giant, 3209 W. Armitage Ave., launched its yellow-and-gray food truck in October to survive the coronavirus pandemic. Both Giant and Chef’s Special, 2165 N. Western Ave., are struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic and the city’s restrictions on dining, Vincent has said.
RELATED: Giant, Acclaimed Logan Square Restaurant, Launches Food Truck To Survive Coronavirus
Magiet, owner of TaKorea Cocina, 1022. N. Western Ave., recently spearheaded a hugely successful benefit for Thanksgiving, followed by a Christmas meal giveaway.
Magiet told Block Club in November the initial meal giveaway was partially inspired by his partnership with the Love Fridge, a nonprofit giving away food through refrigerators placed around the city, as well stories of child hunger shared by his wife, who is a Chicago Public Schools teacher.
“Whatever I can do, whatever help I can offer. It’s just food. And people need to eat,” he said. “When you are a positive part of the community, other people want to join in.”
RELATED: After Providing 1,300 Thanksgiving Meals, West Town Restaurants Plan Christmas Meal Giveaway
TaKorea Cocina, Giant and Chef’s Special are all currently open for carryout and delivery. See websites for details.
Credit: Facebook / Provided Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Already subscribe? Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
