November 25, 2025
Media Contact: Jerry Thomas
(312) 212-8955
Violence Interrupters Distribute Turkeys and Hot Southern Meals to Families in Need on Chicago’s West Side
CHICAGO — Just two days after hosting a pre-Thanksgiving dinner for Violence Interrupters and individuals formerly affiliated with street organizations, Violence Interrupters, founded and led by Executive Director Mr. Tio Hardiman, continued their mission of service by distributing turkeys and essential food products to families at 2045 W. Van Buren Street.
The event drew more than 100 residents who received not only turkeys, macaroni, and vegetables for their holiday tables, but also enjoyed a hot Southern-style meal prepared on site. Partner organizations, including Together Chicago, Breakthrough Ministries, and neighborhood groups, joined forces to ensure families had access to complete meals during a time of rising grocery prices and delays in SNAP benefits.
“It’s not just about me or any one group—it’s about all of us coming together for the common goal of helping the community,” said Mr. Hardiman. “No man is an island. We’re here for the children, the elderly, and everyone struggling to make ends meet. Today, people came together in peace, no drama, no static—just unity.”
This outreach comes as Chicago continues to grapple with high-profile crimes that have drawn national attention, including the tragic case of a woman set on fire aboard a CTA train and the gunfire that injured youth during the city’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in The Loop.
Mr. Hardiman emphasized that the work of Violence Interrupters goes beyond food distribution:
- Preventing violence before it escalates by mediating conflicts across the city.
- Reducing homicides, to keep numbers under 400 for the first time since 1965.
- Addressing trauma tied to homelessness, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and structural racism.
“Shootings are just the tip of the iceberg,” Hardiman noted. “We’re dealing with trauma, poverty, and systemic issues every day. Events like this bring hope and healing while meeting immediate needs.”
About Tio Hardiman: Dubbed “Mr. CeaseFire,” Tio Hardiman created the award-winning CeaseFire initiative in 2004 and has been dedicated to combating problems of violence and corruption in the nation’s third-largest city. Hardiman is also the creator of the critically acclaimed documentary The Interrupters (2011) and, in 2017, decided to produce a second film, The Chicago Way, as a response to Chicago’s political corruption, police brutality, and the continued gun violence. Using his platform, Hardiman entered the 2018 Gubernatorial race against Democrat powerhouses like JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy. He ran his campaign on the principles of combating violence, racism, and the top-down corruption that has been taking place for decades in Illinois. On April 26, 2020, Mr. Hardiman launched the “Tio Mr. Ceasefire Hardiman Show on WVON 1690 AM in Chicago, which airs on Sundays between 6 AM and 7 AM. For additional information on Tio Hardiman and Violence Interrupters, visit https://www.violenceinterrupters.org/. To schedule an interview with Mr. Hardiman, contact Jerry Thomas at (312) 212-8955 or jerry@jerrythomaspr.com.