2024 : 100 Sandwiches
The holiday season is often described as a time of giving, but I wanted to experience what that truly meant beyond exchanging gifts. Instead of spending the days leading up to Christmas at home, I decided to dedicate my time to preparing and delivering fresh sandwiches to people experiencing homelessness throughout Chicago.
Christmas, compassion, and 100 chicken curry sandwiches.
- Chicago | December 2024
- Beneficiary: People experiencing homelessness across Chicago
Working alone, I spent hours preparing 100 artisan sandwiches, each made with freshly baked bread, roasted chicken, curry mayonnaise, tomatoes, and crisp lettuce. It wasn’t about creating an elaborate meal—it was about making something I would be proud to serve to anyone sitting at my own table.
The original plan seemed simple: prepare 100 sandwiches, drive into the city, and hand them out in a single day.
Reality was very different.
Chicago’s winter was unforgiving. Temperatures were well below freezing, and many people had sought refuge in emergency shelters to escape the cold. After hours of driving through neighborhoods where I had previously met people living outdoors, I realized I would not find 100 individuals that day.
Rather than letting the remaining sandwiches go to waste, I returned home, regrouped, and went back out the following day with the remaining meals. Little by little, street by street, conversation by conversation, every sandwich found its way into someone’s hands.
In the end, all 100 sandwiches were distributed.
What stayed with me wasn’t the logistical challenge or the freezing temperatures—it was the gratitude. Many people were surprised that someone had taken the time to prepare fresh food rather than simply handing out packaged snacks. We shared stories, shook hands, and wished each other a Merry Christmas. Those few minutes of human connection often seemed just as meaningful as the meal itself.
Experiences like this continue to shape the vision behind Bakers Lake Bread Co. I don’t want our bakery to simply produce exceptional bread and pastries—I want it to become a vehicle for serving our community. As we continue to grow, so will our commitment to giving back through food, whether that’s supporting people experiencing homelessness, partnering with local charities, or providing meals to families in need.
Bread has always been a symbol of sharing. Every loaf, every sandwich, and every act of generosity reminds me why I chose this profession in the first place.
Sometimes, the most meaningful recipe isn’t written in grams or percentages.
It’s written in kindness.