Faith-based nonprofit · Chicago

Gather + Give

At Gather + Give our mission is to bring communities together in compassion and generosity to support families in need.

About

Our story

For the last six years, our friends and family have come together every Thanksgiving to help 500 families in Chicago, packing and handing out turkeys and all the trimmings so no one goes without a holiday meal.

In August 2025, Linda and Joe, along with Jay and Madelene, founded Gather + Give to grow from one day a year into year-round support for families in need.

This is just the beginning, and we'd love for you to join us as we gather with friends and family to simply give.

A smiling volunteer in a Gather + Give shirt carries two yellow bags of food.
Three volunteers in yellow Gather + Give shirts smile behind packing tables in the school gym.

Our Vision

At Gather + Give, we aspire to build stronger, more compassionate communities where generosity unites us and no family is left without care or hope.

Our Mission

At Gather + Give our mission is to bring communities together in compassion and generosity to support families in need. By gathering resources, time and care, we strive to provide essential assistance, create hope, and build stronger, more connected communities where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

What We Do

2026 Thanksgiving Serve

Upcoming Main Event · Saturday, November 21, 2026

Schedule

  1. Pack 500 bags

    Calmeca School

  2. First Drive-up distribution

    Calmeca School (200+ cars)

  3. Second Serve: 2 Locations

    Walk-up at Richard Edwards (150 families)

    Giveaway at Monarcas Academy gymnasium (150 families)

Meet the team

Our Directors

The four who founded Gather + Give.

  • Joe Scanlan and Linda Murphy smiling together in front of a flowering hedge.

    Linda Murphy & Joe Scanlan

    Co-founders & Directors

    “What began in 2020 as a way to help families through the pandemic has become a calling: to bring family and friends together in service, so every child feels cared for, supported and seen.”

    During the pandemic, we helped supply the State of Illinois with masks, gloves and gowns, and saw firsthand how many families were struggling. Feeding 300 families at two schools soon grew to more than 500, and we knew it could never be a one-time effort.

    We want to show the next generation that generosity, compassion and kindness aren’t just things we talk about. They are things we live.

  • Madelene and Jay Rossmann smiling together at an outdoor celebration.

    Jay Rossmann & Madelene Rossmann

    Co-founders & Directors

    “For the past four years, Gather + Give has become so much more than just something we’re involved in – it has become part of who we are as a family.

    What began as a desire to help has grown into a shared commitment to build something bigger, reach more families, and make a lasting difference in our community.

    Our entire family is involved, and that is what makes this journey so meaningful. Together, we are teaching the next generation that giving isn’t just about what you have – it’s about showing up, working together, and caring for others. We are incredibly proud of what Gather + Give has become and even more excited about all that is still ahead.”

Give

Ways to Give

Every donation goes directly to support families in need.

Other ways to give

Zelle

Send donations through Zelle to:

312-662-2425

joe@triconnectinc.com

Mail a check

Make it payable to Gather + Give and mail it to:

Gather + Give
C/O Jay Rossmann
18 Dover Lane
Golf, IL 60029

With gratitude

Thank you to our donors

  • Jennifer and Ken smiling in yellow Gather + Give shirts.

    Jennifer and Ken have been generous supporters from the very beginning.

    Even with incredibly busy lives, they always find a way to show up, support what we are doing, and remind us that we can count on them. But beyond their generosity, it’s their friendship that means the most. We feel so fortunate to have them in our lives and by our side.

    Ken & Jennifer

  • Jim and Sue in yellow Gather + Give shirts giving a thumbs-up.

    Sue and Jim have been by our side since day one. Their commitment to philanthropy inspires us, but so does the way they live their lives – with deep faith, incredible wisdom, and a positive spirit no matter what life puts in their path.

    We are so grateful for all they give, all they share, and most of all for their friendship.

    Jim & Sue

  • Nancy and Bob smiling arm in arm in yellow Gather + Give shirts.

    Nancy and Bob share so much of what we value most in life – a deep love of family, friendship and giving back.

    Their incredible generosity has made a meaningful difference, but it’s the friendship we share and the way we see life through such similar eyes that makes their support especially close to our hearts.

    Bob & Nancy

A volunteer in a Gather + Give shirt gives a thumbs-up in the parking lot.

Contact

Join us

Want to volunteer, partner with us, or just say hello? Send us a note and we'll be in touch.