Video: Obama cheered after he volunteers at Chicago food bank for Thanksgiving

The Greater Chicago @FoodDepository is a local non-profit organization that provides nourishing food for those in need. This Thanksgiving week, @BarackObama stopped by to give back. pic.twitter.com/I5ce5ypvEG

— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) November 21, 2018

In videos posted online by his foundation and the centre, Obama was seen striding into the centre and taking volunteers—who were huddled together around a long table of potatoes—by surprise.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository thanked the ex-president and his foundation in a tweet “for joining our volunteers today.”

Thank you to ⁦@BarackObama⁩ and ⁦@ObamaFoundation⁩ for joining our volunteers today at the Food Depository. We believe no one should go hungry, especially this time of year, and that’s why we’re working to address the root causes of hunger in Chicago and Cook County. pic.twitter.com/d6YfBjvJl2

— Chicago’s Food Bank (@FoodDepository) November 20, 2018

Obama thanked them for letting him “crash” and join the volunteers.

Thanks to the Chicago @FoodDepository team for all you do and to the volunteers who are doing great work and let me crash today. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! https://t.co/r4QeBeCoT1

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 21, 2018

People were thrilled to see the former POTUS spreading festive joy and volunteering, and many highlighted the fact that Trump flew to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida to enjoy the holidays.

The Obama family volunteered at a homeless shelter to help prepare Thanksgiving meals. Say what you want about politics but they’re such genuinely good people pic.twitter.com/cS5nyzhiQy

— ᵐᵃᵍᵍˢ (@maggleew) November 22, 2018

What compassionate Presidents do. Sigh. https://t.co/pVBZNGZcuf

— Frenchie 🇫🇷☕⭐⭐ (@shazzer42000) November 22, 2018

This is how you do it, @realDonaldTrump @IvankaTrump. https://t.co/upXUdRdZjx

— T. Alexander (@TalexanderSteff) November 22, 2018

Obama visits Chicago @FeedingAmerica food bank to volunteer to make #Thanksgiving meal bags, with no political office to run for.

Story continues below this ad

The dining room laid out at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump is spending Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/dCAjTyk9Aw

— #Thinker 🌀 (@706am) November 22, 2018

Thank – you so very much for your kindness to all the other families that are not able to do this, you are such a great President, God Bless You! Nikkiyyc https://t.co/ep21psiTI3

— richard bell (@richardbell235) November 22, 2018

This is what a Present and Past President do during the Holiday Season not hide or play golf or stay inside if it looks like rain. Thank You President @BarackObama https://t.co/UXyjnt5yq2

— Teresa Tost (@grandma102) November 22, 2018

Amazing to see someone of power truly put #AmericaFirst ! Thank you @BarackObama @ObamaFoundation https://t.co/zpKC4oS7yq

— Michael Cima (@Cheema82) November 22, 2018

Thank God for you and the examples you set in word and deed. You are the example I want my grandchildren to see and emulate. Thank God. https://t.co/ttFqPC2OMW

— BETTYE MORGAN (@BETTYEJEAN1) November 22, 2018

Hey @realDonaldTrump this how a real President acts. Even retired he still instills us with pride. https://t.co/6WUuyRR5Kx

— Madmama (@madmamavotes) November 22, 2018

Good to see and remember what ‘Leadership’ looks like. https://t.co/1pVmbLW7Za

— Nandu Madhava (@NanduMadhava) November 22, 2018

Photo #1: Obama surprises Chicago food bank by volunteering to make Thanksgiving meal bags (https://t.co/tUgkBYnyHW). Photo #2: The dining room at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump is spending Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/XkT0jvh96n

— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) November 21, 2018

#Trump is off to Mar-A-Lago to hobnob with his rich paying customers. Meanwhile, President #Obama pitches in at a Chicago food bank for #Thanksgiving. https://t.co/uJ8E7y6fZu

— Patchouli Sky (@barefootpagan) November 21, 2018

This is not the first time Obama has volunteered. The Obama family volunteered at food banks many times during his presidency.