As Thanksgiving approaches, Erica Jordan is intent on ensuring a few less-fortunate families are able to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.
“A lot of us are fortunate and working and it’s a time for us to reach out beyond our four walls and help other people in need,” Jordan said.
For the past three years, Jordan along with the other members of the 219 Riderz Motorcycle Club has given away six to 10 Thanksgiving baskets to underprivileged single mothers.
“It basically came about because we looked within ourselves and said that most of us are somewhat privileged and will be comfortable that time of the year,” Baxton Miller, club president, said. “So we all donated money to make this happen.” This year the motorcycle club partnered with Lawrence Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Soul Kitchen on 5025 W. 5th Ave., Gary, hoping to spread the holiday cheer.
While there are other, larger groups that deliver hundreds of food baskets, the 219 Riderz see that there’s always another family that can be helped.
“You hope that everyone can be happy for the holidays,” Kelly said. “It feels good to help others because I was once deprived. The worst thing is to see a family that’s deprived of food.”
Miller said 219 Riderz, which has no more than a dozen members, hosts several charity events throughout the year and shows a perspective of motorcycle clubs that deviates from the stereotypes traditionally ascribed to them.
“We always look for any opportunity for us to give back so this is an opportunity for us to shine a different light on bikers,” he said. “We don’t just ride bikes.”
The Thanksgiving baskets are stocked with a cornucopia of food including a turkey, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, candy yams, corn, green beans, cake batter and frosting.
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“We’re not just giving away turkeys,” Jordan said. “We’re trying to give them a whole meal.”
Hill said he “can’t put into words” how gratifying it is seeing the kids’ reaction after they see the food baskets.
“To see the response from the children when they see Thanksgiving is going to be a lot greater than they thought it was going to be is incredible man,” he said.
As cities in Northwest Indiana continue to experience the highest unemployment rates in Indiana, Nonprofits and various other charitable groups are geared up to help those in need throughout the holiday season.
“You never know what someone has been through,” Hill said. “To know the little things that we’ve done are big things in their eyes.
“We’re just hoping to make someone’s holiday. There are a lot of families that go without during the year so just being able to help a few families on this special holiday is special.”
In 2015, 12.7 percent, or 15.8 million American households, were “food insecure,” meaning they lacked access and the resources to put enough quality food on the table for all household members, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.
At 14.8 percent, Indiana was higher than the national average on overall food insecurity during 2013-2015.
Twitter @JavonteA