Before the Bears took off for Philadelphia to play the Eagles on Prime Video, the club spent time in the Chicagoland community surprising 10 different nonprofits with a $25,000 donation.

As part of their TNF For Good initiative, Amazon gifted both the Bears and Eagles $250,000 to combat food insecurity in their respective cities, allowing Bears Care — the organization's charitable arm — to help support various food banks across Illinois and local nonprofits.

"We are extremely thankful to Amazon for their generous donation, which has allowed us, together, to make a direct impact on food insecurity during this holiday season," director of Bears Care Marge Hamm said. "Their contribution helped us provide greatly needed financial support to food banks throughout the state and reach our fans in need not just in Chicago, but all parts of Illinois."

Quarterback Caleb Williams kicked off the series of surprises just a few miles down the road from Halas Hall with a visit to the Northern Illinois Food Bank Nov. 17, the day after the Bears traveled back from their win over the Vikings.

Williams' involvement in community service, specifically relating to food insecurity, dates back to his youth at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. when the football program, led by coach Randy Trivers, served meals to the homeless and helped raise money and collect food for the less fortunate. The second-year pro shared that story with staff at the food bank and expressed his gratitude for being a part of helping support the same cause in the Chicagoland area.

"There's been many times throughout my career whether I was a younger guy or in college, and whether it's after a win or a loss, being able to come back to these moments and do stuff like this has always been a part of it," Williams shared. "It's very grounding and helps you understand where you're at in life. You also get to put smiles on other people's faces, so it's encouraging, it's supportive to the community and that's what we should be doing, especially with our platform."

Those at the food bank thought Williams was just popping by for a tour and to learn more about the organization, so when he brought out the big check, they were taken aback. Colleen Ahearn, the food bank's chief philanthropy officer, knows the donation "is going to make a huge difference for our neighbors in Illinois."

"The Bears have been extremely generous to us in being involved here," Ahearn said. "It is really meaningful because we don't always know who is food insecure, who is hungry right now. It could be the person in the car next to you, it could be your neighbor. We can only do so much. We rely on volunteers here — 1,000 a week — so without people spreading the news, it's really hard to do what we do.

"The Bears have such a great platform and obviously with Caleb, this was such a surprise. to be able to have that awareness and have somebody like that involved with the food bank means a lot because people are looking up to him and people are watching that."

Over the course of the next week leading up to Thanksgiving, Bears Care helped distribute the remaining donations, which included events with receiver DJ Moore, defensive tackle Chris Williams, former cornerback Ike Hill as well as several wives of coaches and front office staff.

Moore and his family served hot meals to foster families at One Family Illinois on Chicago's west side in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The event brought together more than 150 people in an effort to help combat food insecurity in the neighborhood.

"It was fun," Moore said. "I know they all loved the chicken I was handing out, so it's always a great feeling that tummies are full. You've just gotta take care of home and right now, Chicago is home, and the community comes first."

Williams traveled to Ravenswood to visit Nourishing Hope, one of the largest and longest-operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago, and was joined by members of the community, including State Representative Hoan Huynh. Williams also helped with the nonprofit's Thanksgiving turkey giveaway alongside his mother, who taught him the value of giving back at a young age.

"One thing I always wanted to do is have my own means of giving back, and just knowing that people will be able to break bread with their families at home is great," Williams said. "At least in my family, that's the one thing that always brought us together, sitting down at the table, eating food, laughing, talking."

The week of giving back was also a family affair for the Bears. Jessica Johnson, wife of coach Ben Johnson, helped arrange a trip to the Firehouse Community Arts Center in North Lawndale, which provides a safe haven for young people in Chicago. The Bears have a longstanding relationship with Firehouse and conduct their annual "Lineup Against Hunger" initiative, which helps provide thousands of Thanksgiving meals to families in the neighborhood.

This year, Johnson and several other wives helped pack meals and spent time touring the firehouse.

"We're so grateful for this opportunity," Johnson said. "I feel like God has given us such a platform, and I just want to give back and do what I can. I know that there are so many others here that feel the same, and it's so fun just to do it all together and start to try to make a difference. The community of Chicago has been so welcoming to all of us, and we're just so grateful for that.

"We want to make sure that we give back, and that city knows how much we appreciate them welcoming us and accepting us. We just want them to feel taken care of as well."

Rounding out the surprises was receiver Rome Odunze, who presented A Just Harvest with the big news via video call with Marilyn Pagán-Banks, the nonprofit's executive director. Earlier this season, Odunze volunteered with A Just Harvest, which works to combat hunger in Rogers Park.

Bears Care will also distribute $25,000 donations to Central IL Food Bank, Eastern IL Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank, River Bend Food Bank, St. Louis Area Food Bank and Tri-State Food Bank.

"The Greater Chicago Food Depository is grateful for our longtime partnership with the Chicago Bears," Kate Maehr, GCFD executive director and CEO said. "This additional support right at the holiday season, and as our neighbors are still recovering from the recent pause in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, is especially meaningful.

"These funds will help ensure that our neighbors have the food they need to flourish at the holidays and throughout the year."

As the Bears continue to give back during the holiday season, the club and Bears Care will further expand support to organizations fighting food insecurity in addition to Amazon's significant investment in the Chicago community.

"The Bears have long supported various nonprofits and food banks focused on reducing and eliminating food insecurity in our communities and the recent contribution from Amazon afforded us the opportunity to build upon that support," Tanesha Wade, executive vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion & chief impact officer, said. "We realize access to food for families in need is essential year-round. The club and Bears Care remain committed to helping address these needs through the distribution of additional funds and volunteer resources to local nonprofits providing support to families in Chicago and across Illinois."