At Lawn Corp Community Center in Chicago Lawn on the city's Southwest Side, the Salvation Army is distributing 700 boxes of food to families in need. People started lining up at 5 a.m. for the boxes. The Salvation Army says it's a line that gets longer every year.
"We started with 300 people and now we are trying to help 700. They're still coming and we have to say no, we don't have room for you," Luis Zambrano said.
Called Christmas Baskets, the boxes contain either ham or turkey and all the trimmings to provide a holiday dinner for five people. Chicago Lawn residents register for the boxes. Many of them are unemployed or struggling to make ends meet.
"It's really hard. I have three grandbabies, two kids and have to pay rent, light gas. It's a lot," Yolanda Wright said.
"It feels good that there is an outlet where you can go if you don't have enough, if you're not making enough. There's a place to help feed those families," Tristan McCoy said.
"This is a little bit of help and it makes a difference," Denette Peinado said.
Next Tuesday, there will be a toy giveaway at Lawn Corp Community Center. Organizers are trying to get enough gifts for the 400 children who are registered for toys.
