Michael Airhart and SocialWorks: Taste for the Homeless

By Margaret McSweeney | May 22, 2019

The statistics are staggering. According to Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, nearly 80,000 people in Chicago are facing food and shelter instability. Michael Airhart exemplifies what one person can do to tackle a huge problem. For many years, he has cooked meals in his kitchen, has gone out into the streets, under bridges and into shelters to help feed and encourage those who are in need. What an honor it was to recently interview Michael Airhart in the Middleby Residential showroom in Chicago along with Justin Cunningham and Essence Smith of SocialWorks to discuss their collaboration with Taste for the Homeless on June 22nd. Chef Jaime Laurita and I joined Michael along with a team from SocialWorks to spend time with some of the people in Chicago who are ministered by Michael and share with them the delicious meal that Chef Jaime made for them.

My father’s quote was to always find the near edge of a great problem and to act at some sacrifice to touch that near edge and make a difference in the world. You too, dear foodie friend can help tough the near edge of feeding the hungry in Chicago by contributing to Michael Airhart and Socialworks’ efforts with Taste for the Homeless.