Lori Cannon, a vibrant and compassionate figure in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community, has dedicated nearly 40 years to providing support and care to those affected by AIDS. As tragic as the circumstances were, Cannon’s resilience and advocacy during this devastating period of loss and neglect became a beacon of hope for many.
Initially a bus driver, Lori formed deep connections with the community during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. She watched close friends suffer from a disease that society seemed to ignore, leaving many to die alone and unloved. Feeling a strong sense of duty to help, she sought to create a Meals on Wheels program specifically for those living with AIDS, a group often ostracized and forgotten by their families and friends.
In late 1985, Lori teamed up with Tom Tunney, the owner of Ann Sather, a Swedish-inspired restaurant. Their partnership began with a heartfelt effort to deliver warm meals to the affected individuals at a time when the public was largely indifferent to the crisis.
On December 24, 1985, Chicago experienced severe winter weather with chilling temperatures and strong winds, but that did not deter Lori from fulfilling her commitment. One of her first stops was to deliver a meal to David Dean, a local activist, who was struggling but grateful for Lori’s presence in his life.
“People were often alone, and we became their lifeline,” Lori shared. Over the course of the next eight years, she and her team managed to deliver more than 175,000 meals to those in need, including nearly 945 clients who had nowhere else to turn in their darkest moments.
Lori recounted the emotional reality of her daily deliveries, noting that in many instances, she and her team were the only human contacts that clients had experienced in days. Friends were dying, families shunned them, and even landlords attempted to evict patients who were gravely ill. The weight of such burden was significant, yet Lori understood the importance of being there for others.
Not only did Lori prepare and deliver meals, but she also provided other essential services when individuals sought help at Groceryland, a food pantry located in the Edgewater neighborhood. This vibrant community space allowed Lori to extend her compassion further by offering free food and hygiene supplies to those who needed it most.
Reflecting on her life’s work, Lori stated, “I’m just a person trying to do the right thing. That’s how I was raised. The healthy take care of the sick.” Her unwavering commitment to this principle has not only provided nourishment but has also laid the groundwork for a support network that embodies solidarity and love amidst despair.
Today, Lori Cannon’s impact remains deeply felt in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community, where her legacy continues to inspire new generations to advocate for those in need and to never forget the struggles faced by others. Her flame of compassion burns brightly as a reminder of the strength of human connection in the face of adversity.
image source from：windycitytimes
