Nov 26, 2008 5:38 pm US/Central
Obamas Hand Out Food To Needy At Chicago Church
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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President-elect Barack Obama and his daughter Malia give away food to the needy at a Chicago church on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008.
CBS
President-elect Barack Obama and the soon-to-be first family handed out food to the needy at a South Side church on the day before Thanksgiving.
Obama, his wife Michelle and their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, shook hands and gave holiday wishes as they handed wrapped chickens to people who had been lined up for hours at the food bank at St. Columbanus Parish, 331 E. 71st St.
The president-elect, dressed casually in a leather jacket, black scarf and khaki pants, was in a jovial mood, calling out "happy thanksgiving" and telling people "you can call me Barack."
His wife and daughters wore stocking hats, winter coats and gloves as the family worked the food bank in the outdoor church courtyard with representatives of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
The Rev. Matt Eyerman, pastor of St. Columbanus, was overjoyed at the Obamas' choice to volunteer.
"It's wonderful. It's terribly important to get hunger on the map in the nation, and we served today 400 people," Eyerman told CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery. "It's wonderful that he cares that he comes and cares for the 400 people who are getting food today."
"It makes me feel very special, very special," said food recipient Daryel Namder who was holding back tears.
Obama said remembering those who are less fortunate is important not just Thanksgiving, but all the time.
"The number of people who are getting food this year is up 33 percent. I think it gives a sense times are tough, and I think that on Thanksgiving it's important for us to remember people in need, but it's important not just during Thanksgiving," Obama said. "These folks were already oftentimes having a tough time, and it gets tougher now. So we want to make sure that people can give if they're able to contribute to the Food Depository, volunteer, participate – this is part of what Thanksgiving should be all about."
Obama added that it was important for his daughters to participate "because I want them to learn the importance of how fortunate they are, and to make sure they're giving back."
Michelle Obama echoed the importance, saying she wanted her daughters to gain "an understanding of what giving and Thanksgiving is all about."
Afterward, Obama and his family addressed an assembly of children screaming with delight at St. Columbanus Elementary School, asking them what would be eating at Thanksgiving as they applauded and cheered. One held a sign reading, "We love our Prez."
"I'm not president yet, I've been elected president," Obama said. "But I'm going to be sworn in as president on January 20th."
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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