[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING VITAL BRIDGES FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AND FOR PROVIDING ITS 
                           10 MILLIONTH MEAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2009

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
VITAL BRIDGES on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. VITAL BRIDGES, 
originally known as Open Hand Chicago, is a not-for-profit community 
organization providing food and social services to low-income people 
with HIV and AIDS in Chicago and Cook County.
  On Christmas Eve 1988, a small group of concerned volunteers came 
together to deliver hot meals to AIDS patients who were too sick or too 
poor to prepare their own food. From this initial act of charity, Open 
Hand Chicago was born in January 1989.
  For the last two decades and without interruption, Open Hand and its 
successor VITAL BRIDGES has provided food and social services to men, 
women and children living with HIV and AIDS.
  Today, VITAL BRIDGES provides its services through five grocery 
centers located on the north, south and west sides of Chicago and in 
Oak Park and Elk Grove Village in suburban Cook County. Nearly 2,000 
people receive services every month.
  In addition to food services, VITAL BRIDGES provides nutrition 
counseling, housing assistance, case management and educational and 
vocational services.
  On October 29, 2009, VITAL BRIDGES reached a milestone: it provided 
its 10 millionth meal.
  Without VITAL BRIDGES, thousands of people in Chicago and Cook County 
would go without the healthy, balanced meals and the social services 
that are needed when a person is struggling to live with HIV and AIDS, 
especially in these economically difficult times.
  So, Madam Speaker, I wish to thank Executive Director Debbie Hinde, 
the staff, board of directors and especially the many dedicated 
volunteers for 20 years of creating vital bridges of help and hope for 
thousands of people in our community.

                          ____________________