Chicago Sleepout for Homelessness goes virtual amid COVID-19 pandemic

Casati's Modern Italian, Windy City Sweets, NFL player Whitney Mercilus join forces with Care For Friends
Thursday, February 18, 2021
CHICAGO (WLS) -- On Friday, the annual "Sleepout for Homelessness" fundraiser will be held, but it's a bit different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hope Pavich from "Care For Friends" joined ABC 7 Chicago Thursday to talk about it.
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The event normally sees 200 people sleeping in tents around campfires in Lincoln Park for one cold February night. But this year it's been turned into a virtual event, including a social media scavenger hunt, an online streaming event featuring NFL Linebacker Whitney Mercilus, and some "hard-core supporters" sleeping on their own porches or apartment courtyards.

Because the effects of the pandemic are so widespread, the organization partnered with two small businesses.

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Casati's Modern Italian will be offering a special takeout meal (as well as heated outdoor greenhouse dining and heated igloo dining) on Friday that is tied to the sleepout. Diners can support a local business, help the homeless and get a charitable donation all at the same time.
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Windy City Sweets has also gotten in on the act, following the campfire theme with a chocolate-dipped s'mores offering.



Visit www.cffsleeps.com for more information.
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