Chicago Sun-Times (Sunday)

Nick Cannon, G Herbo tackle food insecurity at event in Pullman

- BY DAVID STRUETT, CST WIRE REPORTER dstruett@suntimes.com | @dstru312

As a successful record label owner, Tony Draper has always felt fulfilled by his work.

But that feeling reached new heights when he co-created the Feed Your City Challenge, which is touring the U.S. to bring groceries to those in need, the Suave House Records founder said.

“I sold 10 million records, but I didn’t get the feeling I get now,” Draper said Saturday when the Challenge made its ninth stop nationally on the Far South Side.

The giveaway — which will feed 7,000 people — was also star-studded.

Challenge co-founder and former NBA player Ricky Davis, music producer No I.D., rapper G Herbo and others showed up to hand-deliver the groceries to a line of cars that stretched blocks from the Pullman Community Center.

The center has had mass giveaways before, but nothing as large as the Feed Your City Challenge, according to the center’s general manager Kristin Curtis.

The one-day program also aims to bring awareness to the issue of food insecurity in America — a major barrier to children’s health.

“Something so simple as a kid going home with food in his belly can save a lot of drama,” said Jabari Parker, who grew up in the city and played for Bulls.

“Because that’s where a lot of tension comes from. People are really just starving,” said Parker, now with the Sacramento Kings.

Comedian Nick Cannon, who also attended, said that the Challenge was just one way to help address inequality in the community.

“There’s a lot of challenges in 2020, and we’re taking responsibi­lity for our own, and we’re coming to feed the community ... but [also] to say, ‘You can’t lead the people until you feed the people,’ ” Cannon said.

 ?? PAT NABONG/SUN-TIMES PHOTOS ?? Comedian and rapper Nick Cannon (left) and rapper G Herbo (second from left) on Saturday during a food drive in the parking lot of the Pullman Community Center.
PAT NABONG/SUN-TIMES PHOTOS Comedian and rapper Nick Cannon (left) and rapper G Herbo (second from left) on Saturday during a food drive in the parking lot of the Pullman Community Center.
 ??  ?? Former Chicago high school star Jabari Parker, now with the Sacramento Kings, signs a ball Saturday at a food drive in the Pullman neighborho­od.
Former Chicago high school star Jabari Parker, now with the Sacramento Kings, signs a ball Saturday at a food drive in the Pullman neighborho­od.

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