Chicago–aptly named the ‘Windy City’–is a brutal place to be stuck outdoors during the winter months. When the wind travels across Lake Michigan, temperatures can feel sub-zero. Unfortunately, there are many whose livelihoods depends on them being outside and selling goods to passersby.

Food vendors are part of this group, and wintertime is always extremely slow for their businesses. One local restaurant owner is stepping up in a huge way to help these vendors not only sustain their businesses, but also spend as little time out in the harsh weather as possible.

Robert Magiet was driving one day and noticed a local tamale vendor sitting outside in the frigid morning air. Moved with compassion as he saw her multiple layers of clothing, he asked to purchase all her tamales so she could get back indoors. Speaking to the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Magiet said:

“She looked like she had five layers of clothing on. I said, ‘Can I buy all your tamales and you can go home?’ She had maybe 10 dozen on her.”

His act of kindness didn’t stop there. Not needing 10 dozen tamales himself, he gave the woman a generous tip and then went off in search of homeless encampments where he distributed the tamales to the needy. He decided this was an easy way to bless two populations at once, so he posted about the exchange on facebook and asked his friends to direct him to other venders he could purchase from the next day.

“Anyone know of any Tamale Cart vendors that will be out this weekend in the cold weather?” he wrote. “I went to Yolanda near Humboldt Park and bought her out so she could go home today. I’d love to do the same for other Vendors and distribute the Tamales to our Neighbors experiencing homelessness. Let me know of any leads please.”

Suggestions came pouring in and over the next few days he bought out the entire supply for three different vendors and topped off his purchase with a generous tip before heading off to deliver the goods to the homeless. As a food-industry worker, Magiet knows firsthand how difficult these times are due to the coronavirus lockdowns, and the freezing temperatures decrease sales and profits even more:

“You have to remember some of these vendors are used to selling 30 dozen tamales a day,” he said. “But not many people are leaving their house right now. For months they’re standing out there not selling that many tamales.”

Robert’s altruism didn’t begin with Yolanda the tamale lady. In June, his restaurant, TaKorea Cocina, was one of the first in the city to host a “Love Fridge,”  which stocks healthy food items for the needy to take, free of charge. In November, he partnered with two other local restaurant owners to prep and deliver 1,300 Thanksgiving meals to the local families in need. And after Christmas, he teamed up with a friend to drive a food truck around the city and make hot meals for the homeless.

“We’d pull up and made breakfast and lunch,” Magiet said. “It’s like, I have a restaurant. I have food. I know people who have restaurants and food. Let’s help people who need food.”

Magiet is now accepting donations from anyone who wants to contribute to the tamale fund and his other outreach projects. Donations can be made through Zelle at 773-807-0057 or venmo: @takoreacocina.

“I’m not trying to save the world,” he said. “I’m just trying to help people who need food. If I have the ability to go help somebody, I’m just going to go help somebody. To me, it’s literally that simple.”

“If somebody in our neighborhood is struggling, we all struggle,” Magiet said. “That’s how I feel.”