St. Sabina volunteers bring nearly 1,600 meals to those in need on the South Side
Dec 25, 2025
Hundreds of volunteers spent part of their Christmas Day at St. Sabina Church packing holiday meals, sorting gifts for kids and loading boxes into waiting vans that fanned out to deliver the goodies across the South Side. The church bought nearly 1,600 Christmas dinners from six Black-owned catering
companies and, with help from their volunteer elves, planned to deliver them to homeless shelters, veterans homes and the 6th District police station near the church in Auburn Gresham. The church also said it was dropping off the toys as well as gift cards for women.
“Caring for others is one of the fundamental teachings of Jesus,” said the Rev. Michael Pfleger. “We must remember that as we celebrate his birth.”Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
“Nobody should feel like they’re a burden or they’re forgotten or isolated,” said the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina, who has been organizing the Christmas Day donations for 15 years. “So we’re gonna let them know, not only are we giving them food and toys, we want them to know that we care."
Volunteers at St. Sabina Church sort and pack toys to deliver as gifts on Christmas morning.Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
Volunteers pack Christmas dinners provided by six Black-owned catering companies.Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
Jasmine Gill, left, and her mother, Judy Cuascut, who have volunteered together for five years, help pack toys Christmas morning.Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
Dr. Amy Jefferson, left, and Terrence Haley carry a box filled with Christmas dinners. The dinners were delivered to various locations on the South Side.Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
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