More than 100 people in need are expected to attend Passover dinners this weekend, offered by Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe Chicago at its synagogue in West Ridge in collaboration with Bubby Firas Food Bank. The number of guests for the no-cost sit-down Passover dinners has doubled since la st year as more people struggle financially, said Rabbi Levi Notik, of FREE Chicago, which is affiliated with Chabad-Lubavitch, the global Jewish organization.Meanwhile, FREE Chicago is grappling with higher costs of its Passover feasts on Saturday and Sunday nights, as well as home delivery of 1,000 Passover meals in Chicago and the suburbs. Last year, it delivered about 850 Passover meals. FREE Chicago normally delivers 600 Kosher meals each week to Jewish and non-Jewish people in need.Notik did not specify how much Passover expenses have risen since last year. But in general, the costs of food, supplies and labor “have gone up tremendously,” because of high inflation since the COVID-19 pandemic.Although egg prices spiked in March, each of FREE Chicago’s Passover meals will feature a hard-boiled egg — part of the traditional Passover ritual feast. Eggs symbolize the beginning of life and sacrifice, according to Chabad.Egg prices in the U.S. jumped to a record-high of $6.23 per dozen last month, up from $5.90 in February, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. In February, consumers in some places in the country were paying more than $12 a dozen at stores. The holiday meals made at FREE Chicago’s kitchens in Rogers Park will also feature other traditional Passover foods such as matzoh, gefilte fish and horseradish.“We don't want anyone to feel like they are missing anything because of external factors,” Notik said. Rabbi Levi Notik Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Planning for the Passover Seders began months ago and so were not directly affected by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. FREE Chicago ordered matzoh from Ukraine, Israel and New York City. Wine, grape juice and gefilte fish comes from Brooklyn. FREE Chicago makes its own horseradish.But recent U.S. policies have sparked extreme volatility in financial markets that have hurt donations to FREE Chicago. Friday capped a chaotic and historic week in global stock markets.Less funding adds to the financial pressure of serving FREE Chicago's communal and delivered Passover meals that together cost about $35,000 this year. Notik could not compare costs of last year’s Passover dinners because the number of recipients varied.Donors and foundations are driven by financial markets, he said. “We’re taking a big hit,” Notik said. Rabbi Levi Notik tidies up the kitchen at FREE Chicago in West Ridge.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times But in spite of general anxiety and financial turmoil, FREE Chicago wants everyone to “feel the royalty of Passover,” Notik said. “We’re trying hard not to cut back. We’re trying not to tell anyone no.”Passover guests and food bank beneficiaries “need hope and encouragement. Being optimistic and upbeat is a game-changer for them.” Notik added, “We trust and pray to God.”FREE Chicago ramped up its food bank meals in 2020, during the pandemic. Since then, it has served thousands through its free weekly meal deliveries in Chicago and the suburbs. The majority of recipients are Jewish, but all are in need. “If anyone is calling the food bank, they’re really stuck,” Notik said.People might be having difficulty finding jobs, struggling with the cost of making their own Passover Seders or face other factors, he said. Uncertainty related to tariffs might add to their anxiety.“I don’t know if it’s hitting their bank already, but it's just a feeling. Uncertainty is never good for anybody,” Notik said.Contributing: AP ...read more read less