With egg prices soaring due to the bird flu crisis, Pastor Charlie E. Dates is leading volunteers from ProgressiveChicago and Salem Baptist Church to distribute 40,000 eggs across the city on March 15 (Photo Credit: www.salemchicago.org).
With grocery prices continuing to climb, Pastor Charlie E. Dates isn’t waiting for relief to come from Washington—he’s bringing it directly to Chicago families. On Saturday, March 15, the senior pastor of ProgressiveChicago and Salem Baptist Church of Chicago will lead church volunteers in distributing 40,000 eggs across multiple locations in the city.
“The President promised prices would drop on day one, but instead, they’ve only soared. We’re not waiting on him or anyone else to fix this,” said Pastor Dates. “The Black church has always stood in the gap for Black families, ensuring they have what they need to thrive. We did it before, and we’re doing it now.”
The giveaway comes as egg prices remain high due to the ongoing bird flu crisis, placing a strain on households already struggling with rising grocery costs. By organizing this large-scale effort, Pastor Dates and his congregations aim to ease that burden and provide immediate relief to families in need.
Volunteers Mobilize for Massive Giveaway
Before the eggs make their way into the hands of Chicagoans, church members will come together for a full day of preparation. On Friday, March 14, volunteers will work in shifts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the House of Hope (752 E. 114th Street) to carton and organize the eggs for distribution. The facility will be open for live shots throughout the day.
Egg Giveaway Details
- Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
- Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Locations:
- Progressive Chicago members will distribute at 47th & the Dan Ryan, 55th & the Dan Ryan, and 35th & King Drive.
- Salem Chicago members will distribute at 87th & the Dan Ryan and 108th & Michigan.
A Legacy of Service
Pastor Dates, known for his leadership in faith-based community activism, has made it a priority to support Black families facing economic hardships. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, leading the historic congregation through a period of exponential growth. In 2023, he took on the leadership of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, succeeding Pastor James T. Meeks.
Through initiatives like this egg giveaway, Pastor Dates continues a long tradition of the Black church stepping in where institutions fall short—meeting real needs and standing with the community in challenging times.
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