URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — One Urbana woman is making sure everyone has a full dinner plate this Christmas.
Alnar Johnson knows the fear that comes along with being hungry and hopes nobody feels that way during the holidays. After all, Johnson hasn’t always had a kitchen to cook in.
“I felt hopeless,” Johnson said. “I didn’t have anyone there for me or to say, ‘Hey we can go through this together.’”
She moved to Urbana eight years ago to go to school at Parkland College. Without a place to live, she found a shelter where she could.
“[I was] sleeping in my car, going to work and going to school still,” Johnson said. “[I was] brushing my teeth in Parkland’s bathroom.”
She’s since started a family and moved into a place of her own. Now, she’s giving back. This is her second time cooking a Christmas meal for the homeless.
“I want to be able to provide that safety net where they can understand that the community does help them out, that we do care,” Johnson said.
She’s not alone in the kitchen. Her daughter, 7-year-old Alanah, and long-time friend Taylor Gamble are her sous chefs for the time being.
Baked chicken quarters, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, spaghetti and more are on the menu. More than that, the trio is serving up hope. Gamble hopes the meal makes people fell less alone this Christmas.
“They don’t eat every day, so I know they’ll be happy,” Gamble said.
Johnson spent about $500 of her own money on the meal. She said it’s a small price to pay for what it’ll mean to the community.
“I’ve been in the situation before of not being able to feed myself or my kids,” Johnson said. “It’s tough times for everyone right now, so I feel like if we can come together and help each other [then] why not?”
She hopes this inspires others to do the same in their neighborhood.
Johnson and about 15 volunteers will be serving the meal on Christmas at Strides Shelter in Champaign from 1-4:30 p.m. Free hygiene kits will also be available.
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