HUMBOLDT PARK — After completing repairs in Humboldt Park earlier this week and announcing a foundation dedicated to community outreach, Riot Fest organizers have one more bit of good news for residents.
Riot Fest and Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) will host what they say is the largest turkey drive in Chicago ahead of Thanksgiving.
The turkey drive will be held Monday, Nov. 24, in front of the 26th Ward Office, 2511 W. Division St., from noon to 2:45 p.m. The Riot Fest staff has purchased 600 turkeys and will hand them out to families in need, in partnership with the alderman’s office, according to Riot Fest founder Mike Petryshyn.
Beginning Wednesday, residents can go to the 26th Ward Office and pick up their turkey voucher for the drive.
“You have to have blinders on to not see a dichotomy in Humboldt Park. No matter what the stocks or job reports say, there are many amazing families in my community — where I live, work and eat — who are not able to make ends meet,” Petryshyn said in a statement.
“There is a profound duty on all of us to think community and family first no matter if it’s the 26th Ward or more affluent areas across the Chicago area. Although this is a just a drop in the bucket, our plan is to fill that bucket going forward,” he added.
Riot Fest followed through on its vow to fix up Humboldt Park after the punk fest spending $182,000 to restore it. On Monday, the group announced that a new foundation aimed at supporting scholarships and community initiatives in Humboldt Park will seek to raise $500,000 over the next year.
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