Big Pappa's Gyros Gets Ready To Fill Stomachs and Empty Stockings This Christmas

Sandi DiGangi, owner of Big Pappa’s Gyros, with son, Tony, and daughter, Nicolette.

OAK LAWN, IL -- An Oak Lawn restaurant owner with a big heart and a kitchen full of food is getting ready to prepare and deliver thousands of turkey dinners to area residents in need of some cheer this Christmas.

Sandi DiGangi, owner of Big Pappa’s Gyros,10806 S Cicero Ave, Oak Lawn, and her three children have been filling stomachs and stockings since her first holiday feed-a-thon in 2010.

Residents from Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Palos and surrounding communities have always pitched in, donating turkeys, toys and volunteering on Christmas Day.

This year, Sandi is again asking for food and monetary donations to feed neighbors who may be hungry or alone this Christmas.

“I may not have a lot of money, but I have a kitchen full of food,” Sandi said. “For somebody to go hungry, that’s devastating to me.”

• To volunteer, donate to the cause or sign up for a free meal, call Big Pappas Gyros at (708) 741-4014 or visit Big Pappas Christmas GoFundMe.

Sandi started the tradition in 2010, serving 750 homemade dinners to area residents. Last year, Big Pappas dished out over 3,000 turkey dinners and distributed hundreds of toys to families with children that stopped by the restaurant.

The Christmas dinners are Sandi’s way of paying forward a kindness she received more than decades ago, when an anonymous stranger paid the funeral costs for her 5-year-old son who died in a Bridgeport house fire. Firefighters found him on the living room floor after he ran back into the house to save his dog.

“I look forward to this all year long,” Sandi said. “It’s a room full of strangers that just click. It’s just so wonderful, I can’t even tell you. And the people are so appreciative, and some are crying and they make you cry.”

Her three children Tony, 20, Mikey, 17, and Nicolette, 14, have also stepped up to help carry out their mother’s mission. During Christmas week, the family peels potatoes, cuts up pies and other tasks in preparation to serve thousands of people. Sandi operates on very little sleep until the last dinner is served on Christmas Day.

“They’re very good kids with big hearts and they enjoy giving just as much as I do,” Sandi said.

Every night throughout the year, as Sandi closes Big Pappas Gyros at the end of the day, she sets aside money to help pay for the Christmas dinners. Some years she’s put up almost $5,000, donations help out with the rest.

This past year Sandi’s faced her health setbacks, but she’s working to make sure this year’s Big Pappas Christmas charity dinner feeds every person who requests a meal.

“We need turkeys, pies and toys,” she said.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to take monetary donations.

Turkeys, toys and other donations can be dropped off at Big Pappas from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 24.

All anyone has to do to get a free dinner is to call the restaurant and tell her how many dinners are needed. If mobility is an issue, friendly volunteers will deliver dinners to you. There is no proof of residency or verification of funds. If you’re hungry, alone or in need, Sandi will feed you.

Past recipients have included families enduring the health crisis of a parent or child, or college students from foreign lands looking for a place to eat dinner who couldn’t get home for Christmas.

Volunteers or business and groups looking to make a donation can also call this number.

The day after Christmas, Big Pappas is closed. Sandi and her children rest, recoup and go out for dinner.

“I would highly recommend anybody poke a nose in on Christmas to see how this event is so blessed,” Sandi said. “This place is like Miracle on 108th Street. People we’ve never even seen in the restaurant before roll up their sleeves and go to town working.”

Big Pappas Gyros is located at 10806 S Cicero Ave. Oak Lawn, Illinois. To volunteer, donate to the cause or sign up for a free dinner, call the restaurant at (708) 741-4014 or visit GoFundMe Big Pappas Christmas.