Canned goods collected at the auto show. Photo by Reyna Estrada
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest and longest running auto show in North America, according to the show’s website, and guests come to see the exhibits of current car models as well as debuts of new models.
“I like cars, so it’s good to see the latest models and I like to see the variety--it’s fun,” said Bob Johnson, a 78 year old Rolling Meadows resident, who said he has attended the auto show approximately twenty times in Chicago.
In addition to the new cars and various exhibits, the Chicago Auto Show holds a food drive, where guests are invited to donate three canned goods in exchange for a five-dollar-off coupon on a regular priced adult ticket. The proceeds of the food drive go to A Safe Haven, a Chicago based non-profit.
Neil Rowland, president and co-founder of A Safe Haven said that the goal of the food drive is to collect as much food as possible.
“So that we can feed over 5,000 homeless adults, children, youth and veterans that we serve annually as well as the 20,000 families that rely on our food pantry throughout the year,” Rowland said.
A Safe Haven was established in 1994 and the organization has continued to offer various programs such as individual case management, behavioral help and job placement and training in order to address the issue of homelessness as a whole, according to the organization’s website.
“The more donors, volunteers and people on the team helping us and helping us get the word out about the work that we do, the more capacity we have to help more people,” Rowland said.
“Chicago has 86,000 homeless people and while we are proud to help 5,000 people a year, sadly we are currently turning away at least 1,000 people a month who are desper
A Safe Haven's set up at the Auto Show. Photo by Reyna Estrada
ate to get into our programs,” she added.
While some attendees were not even aware of the food drive, others said they chose to donate for the discount as well as the cause.
Eric Estrada, an attendant at the auto show said, “My mom had to go to a food bank when she lost her job, so I know it helps certain people that are in need, so why not give back when I can.”
Some attendants said they had other reasons for donating.
Carol Guenzler, a 60-year-old bank-teller said that she was looking to help those less fortunate in a time of her own personal turmoil.
“Well, I just lost my daughter on Thursday and so I just would like to help people,” said Guenzler.
As the event carried on and guests wandered throughout the exhibition, the box of canned goods slowly filled and an increasing amount of people continued to stop by, each doing their part to combat the homeless epidemic in Chicago.
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