....presidency:

Obama and family hand out food at a Chicago church
By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer


CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama and his wife took their daughters
to work at a food bank on the day before Thanksgiving, saying they
wanted to show the girls the meaning of the holiday, especially when so
many people are struggling.

Ten-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha joined their parents to shake
hands and give holiday wishes to hundreds of people who had been lined
up for hours at the food bank on Chicago's south side.

Sasha wore a pink stocking hat over her pigtails and Malia had on a
purple striped hat as the family handed out wrapped chickens to the
needy in the chilly outdoor courtyard. Those seeking food on Wednesday
at St. Columbanus also received boxes with potatoes, oranges, fresh
bread, peanut butter, canned goods, oatmeal, spaghetti and coffee.

The president-elect, dressed casually in a leather jacket, black scarf
and khaki pants, was in a jovial mood, calling out "happy thanksgiving"
and telling everyone "you can call me Barack."

He told reporters that he wants the girls "to learn the importance of
how fortunate they are, and to make sure they're giving back."

The soon-to-be first lady said the Obamas wanted to give their children
"an understanding of what giving and Thanksgiving is all about."

The Obama family's activities in the courtyard quickly drew the
attention of schoolchildren whose windows overlooked the courtyard. They
put up a sign against the glass that read: "We love our prez" and
screamed when the president-elect waved to them.

Obama then turned to his wife and suggested they go visit the kids.
Secret Service agents, looking surprised, disappeared inside the
building to accommodate his request.

Minutes later, hundreds of children were brought down to the school
auditorium, and Obama loped onstage as they screamed and cheered.

"I just wanted to come by and wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving," he
said. He then asked the children what they would be eating for
Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey? Stuffing? Green beans? Sweet potato pie?

Perhaps it was a hint at the planned menu for the Obamas, who are
planning to host a holiday gathering at their Hyde Park home.

The president-elect then took questions from the children, one of whom
wanted to know what it was like to be followed around all the time. It
is a topic that seems to touch a nerve in Obama, who has lamented the
lack of privacy that comes with his new job.

"I gotta admit, sometimes it's kinda strange ... you just want to go
take a walk or go out and ride your bike or something, and you always
have someone with you," Obama said. "So you don't have a lot of privacy
and that's one of the things you have to sacrifice in order to run for
president."