Being in business for 100 years is somewhat of "a miracle" for Home Run Inn. So when thinking about how to give back to the community that had supported it for a century, the family-owned business partnered with the city to deliver pizzas during the holidays to city-run homeless shelters.
“One of our cornerstone values is giving back to the communities we serve,” said Gina Perrino Bolger, a Home Run Inn senior vice president and fourth-generation family member. “The City of Chicago has been so good to us for over 100 years. This is the least we can do.”
On Tuesday at the company's original storefront on West 31st Street in Little Village, Home Run Inn and Chicago Department of Family and Support Services employees provided more than 5,000 pizzas that will go to more than 30 homeless shelters across Chicago as part of its third annual “Miracle on 31st Street” event.
With over 400 cases holding 12 frozen pizzas each, cars lined up through the parking lot at Home Run Inn’s Little Village location to pick up pies for their respective shelters. Singers from The Caroling Connection performed for the waiting crowd.
Dreezy Claus, who brands himself as “Chicago’s Black Santa,” made an appearance to help load up vehicles.
The pizzas, which are all donated by Home Run Inn, are extremely helpful, said Kecya Thurman, the manager at North Side Housing and Supportive Services shelter, 7464 N Clark St. in Rogers Park. The shelter just opened on Monday.
“Our cook hasn’t started cooking yet, so [the shelter residents] can have this for dinner or lunch,” she said. “The shelter residents like pizza. The city told them they were going to have pizza on Tuesday, so they were very excited.”
Brandie V. Knazze, Family and Support Services commissioner, said the department reaches out to shelters across the city and offers the pizzas to anyone who needs or wants them.
She said Chicago businesses helping support these shelters is critical for the city, staff and those seeking shelter.
“There are still good people out there. There are still corporations out there who are giving back to community,” she said. “We want to make sure our families, our residents and our shelters know that they are loved.”
LaDonna Kelly, who was collecting pizzas for the Primo Center for Women and Children in Austin, said the food comes when they see an influx of new residents seeking shelter as the temperatures drop.
The frozen pizzas are also convenient and accessible for residents, Kelly said.
“Sometimes our families don’t arrive until 12, 1 a.m.,” Kelly said. “This is essential for us to have because they can’t go upstairs and prepare a whole meal. It’s just helpful … it’s amazing.”
Responses like that are why Home Run Inn has kept the event going, Bolger said.
“When we do this, we’re able to provide smiles,” she said. “It’s kind of a miracle we’ve been here for 100 years, and we’re able to support this community as long as we have.”
