Niko's: 100 Free Meals For Joliet's Poor, Homeless Every Week

JOLIET, IL —It was another hectic Thursday morning at Niko's Pizzeria in downtown Joliet as walk-in customers ordered their lunch while Niko and his kitchen crew were up against a deadline. They needed to make sure that 100 Italian beef sandwiches loaded with hot peppers and mozzarella cheese, along with French fries, were packaged by 11:30 a.m.

Every Thursday, Niko and his kitchen staff prepare 100 fresh meals to donate to Joliet's homeless and poor. Every week, Niko makes them a different meal. Niko told Patch he's been doing this for three months now.

"Last week, 100 steak fajitas," Niko told Joliet Patch's editor. "The week before, 100 taco salads."

Israeio Holloway, the founder/CEO of Hope and Divine Purpose Transitional Living Home in Joliet, comes to Niko's carryout restaurant at 20 Ohio St. to pick up the food orders.

Hope & Divine Purpose Transitional Living Home and Igniting The Fire Prayer Ministry, 114 East Cass St., present the "Hot Meals To Go" program to Joliet's homeless and those in need every Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

"So every week, it's a new dish," Niko told Joliet Patch's editor Thursday. "We're doing it for the homeless people and the poor people. We're trying our best to help the community and those in hard days.

"God bless everyone. Stay safe and healthy, and stay hungry my friends," Niko said with a smile.

People who follow Niko's Pizzeria on social media know that Niko's motto for his restaurant is "Stay Hungry My Friends."

Niko's has a tremendous Facebook following, more than 8,000 Facebook likes and more than 8,300 Facebook followers.

Niko's is open daily for takeout and delivery orders from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, Niko's is open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Three days every week, Niko said he also donates 30 meals to Joliet's Guardian Angel Community Services.