More than 300 Catholic Charities clients were treated to a decadent meal January 28 at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Oakbrook, courtesy of the Gibsons Restaurant Group (GRG). 

This tradition began in 2008, when Steve and Peg Lombardo, longtime Catholic Charities benefactors and co-owners of Gibsons, decided to further extend their generosity to Catholic Charities clients through this special event. 

On a recent edition of The Voice of Charity, Kevin Arnold, Director of Training and Development for the Gibsons restaurant group, described how it all started. Kevin explained, “We wanted to take advantage of the fact that the Gibsons restaurants were closed on New Year’s Day, and still had all the ability to feed people who were not able to go there during the year. We started taking that opportunity at the Gibsons on Rush Street, and Catholic Charities was the natural affiliation to work with, because of Steve and Peg’s many years of involvement.” He continued, “The first year was smaller. We started off welcoming 100 guests. Then the next year was 200. Then we changed locations to accommodate more guests…Now we are out at our Oakbrook location, and we are excited how it has all continued to work out.” 

During the pandemic, Gibsons staff delivered hot meals to residents in Catholic Charities’ Affordable Housing residences, going to great lengths to ensure that this festive holiday tradition continued. 

At the 2024 luncheon, many guests donned hats and celebratory attire as they enjoyed a sumptuous meal that included salad, shrimp cocktail, prime beef meatloaf, signature chicken dish, vegetables, rolls, mashed potatoes, and an array of bite-size desserts. Gibsons portions are famously huge, so most guests were able to take home leftovers that would last several days. 

Gibsons staff, friends, and family members volunteered to prepare and serve the meal in memory of Dave Cacioppo, a former Gibsons bartender, raised through Catholic Charities’ foster program, who passed away in 2013. 

Senior Team members Ami Novoryta, Gina Cleggs, and Colleen Kennedy also were on hand to greet guests, thank Gibsons representatives, and join in the fun. 

As Kevin described, “We have buses bring everyone in, so they don’t have to worry about getting there (to the Oakbrook location) and we have great goody bags for guests to leave with, so they have something to remember the event by.” He added, “It’s not only volunteers coming in to help, but it’s also all of these other elements from friends of Gibsons coming together to really give a great experience to people who would not have it otherwise.” 

Guests were most appreciative of the extraordinary hospitality extended to them. Brenda Britt-Cox, Assistant Site Director, Catholic Charities’ St. Peter Claver Courts residence said, “I would be remiss if I did not mention how warm and welcome this event made everyone feel. The residents had a lovely time, as always.” “This is one of my favorite days of the year, added Gina Cleggs, Senior Vice President for Seniors and Affordable Housing. “Seeing the joy that the Gibsons team brings to so many seniors at this lunch is just incredible.” 

Catholic Charities is deeply grateful to Steve and Peg Lombardo, Liz Lombardo Stark, Steve Lombardo II, Michael Lombardo, John Colletti, Ben Gustashaw, Kevin Arnold, and the many kindhearted sponsors who made this event possible.