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Keeping it Meal
Guaranteed Rate shows its gratitude and appreciation by providing meals for every Chicago Police Officer and firefighter
Lodge 7 President John Catanzara has often talk- ed about the FOP’s dedication to hosting barbe- cues and going out to districts to feed members
as the result of something he learned from his mother. A good meal, she told him, not only
tells people you care about them but unites them with a special bond and camaraderie.
Guaranteed Rate, one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the country, seems to
have learned the value of the meal plan as well. Through a connection with the Chicago Police Foundation, Guaranteed Rate started a program on Sept. 1 to provide a meal for every single police officer and firefighter in its hometown of Chicago.
“We know that our police officers’ and firefighters’ jobs are incredibly difficult and dangerous,” said Guaranteed Rate President and CEO Victor Ciardelli. “We just wanted to say thank you and express our appreciation for their service.”
Guaranteed Rate endeavored to provide meals to more than 16,000 first responders across all of Chicago’s 22 police precincts and 98 firehouses. The delivery efforts were coordi- nated in partnership with the Chicago Police Foundation and
featured food from local restaurants across the city. “The support we are seeing from members of the Chicago community means everything to us,” said CPD Superintendent David Brown. “We thank Guaranteed Rate for making sure every single officer knows they are appreciat-
ed.”
Added First Deputy Fire Commissioner
Mary Sheridan: “The size and scope of this ef- fort is really impressive. To be able to get a free meal to every police officer and firefighter is amaz-
ing and will be truly appreciated.”
The feeding frenzy kicked off with an event on Aug. 31 at the
Public Safety Headquarters Building. Chicago Police Founda- tion Board Chairman Rick Simon joined Brown and Ciardelli for the event.
The Guaranteed Rate Companies includes Guaranteed Rate, Inc., one of the top five retail mortgage lenders in the U.S. Headquartered in Chicago, Guaranteed Rate Companies funded more than $73 billion in 2020. Visit rate.com for more information.
66 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2021