Well-fed; middle-class. Save the good dishes for company. “We’re here to make sure the new people feel right at home,” says Barbara, a large, round woman draped in a crimson robe.

Jennifer Molski said she has collected 500 gifts this year, all donated by residents in Flossmoor and Homewood.

Pincetl said those looking for someone to blame should look at "suburban sprawl." "But people don't want to hold suburban sprawl accountable. We are all fairly complicit in this land-use pattern ...