Village of Bradley to host Thanksgiving meal giveaway

The village of Bradley has announced a holiday meal basket giveaway program, allowing residents to sign up for free meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

According to the announcement, Bradley will provide free holiday meal baskets for residents in need throughout the upcoming holiday season. Residents must register by November 8 with proof of residency, which can be shown with a valid ID or utility bill. Registration can be completed either through emailing Meals@bradleyil.org or over the phone at 815-936-5115. Meal pickup will occur at Old Men’s Carson Store on November 23 for Thanksgiving and December 21 for Christmas. Supplies for the program are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Many towns and cities offer holiday food assistance programs to help families in need celebrate during difficult times. In 2022, Feeding America reported an increase in food insecurity during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of local programs.

Requiring proof of residency, such as a utility bill, is a standard practice in local assistance programs to ensure that limited resources go to community members most in need. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests this for community-focused aid.