Fox Valley restaurants take part in fundraiser for food rescue volunteers
A citywide Sunday brunch fundraiser will be held Oct. 27 by a coalition of more than 20 Fox Valley restaurants. "Fill the Bowls" organizers welcome guests of all ages from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Gaslight Manor Banquets, 2485 Church Road in Aurora.
Funds raised will support food rescue volunteers, who work with more than 40 local grocery store donors to end food waste and nourish area households. Food is shared three times a week at Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry's east and west side locations.
Tickets are on sale at www.mariewilkinsonfoodpantry.org/FillTheBowls and may also be purchased at the door.
A donation of $35 is requested for adults, $12 for children ages 6-12, free for kids younger than 5.
Guests will be treated to morning mimosas, an array of soups, savory bites and sweet samplings from local chefs. Aurora's Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley High School student groups will entertain with live music. Raffles and silent auctions will take place throughout the meal.
Annual Spirit Award presentations from 1 to 1:30 p.m. will honor Dick Schindel, president of the Retired Teachers Association, for organizing volunteers for "Student Food Day" at East Aurora High School.
Annette Johnson, East Aurora School board president, will be recognized for developing a food rescue program in East Aurora District 131 and helping to open Marie's East Pantry, now located at East High.
The work of food rescue volunteers makes it possible to share food with more than 12,000 pantry guests at the lowest possible cost, just $24 dollars per person, per year.
Donations of fresh produce, deli, dairy, frozen meats and baked goods are brought in by food rescue volunteer drivers from 40 locations each week.
Major support for "Fill the Bowls" is provided by AC's Pub, Gripple Inc. and Clear Perspective Advisors.
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry was formed in 1957 by its namesake, Marie Wilkinson, a lifetime social and civil rights activist who worked to relieve poverty, hunger, homelessness, joblessness, and injustice.
Special neighborhood service times focus on nourishing students, seniors, veterans and persons challenged with disabilities, helping to raise the quality of life for the community as a whole.
For more information, visit www.mariewilkinsonfoodpantry.org.