The gift of food for our nation's veterans and military families
On Friday, May 28, the Fox Valley Marine Corps League and Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry will hold its first Annual Memorial Day Pantry in honor of veterans and Gold Star families. All veterans, Gold Star families, and active service members are invited to Aurora Food Pantry at 1110 Jericho Road between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to receive a gift of food, including meat, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, and non-perishable items to enjoy at home. Participants should bring a photo ID.
For the last four years, Aurora Food Pantry has hosted an annual Veterans Pantry around Veterans' Day, serving an average of 90 veterans, many of whom had never been to Aurora Food Pantry before. Aurora Food Pantry hopes to reach even more veterans at this year's event and introduce them to our weekly services. Any veteran in the community is welcome to come weekly and receive about $140 worth of food at each visit.
The event, occurring the Friday before Memorial Day, is planned as one of the many Memorial Day activities that will occur across the community in honor of our veterans. This event is sponsored by the Fox Valley Marine Corps League, Illinois Joining Forces, and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
"We encourage all veterans to come to help us commemorate those that have fallen and honor all of our veterans," said Kris Kearns, Commandant of the Fox Valley Marine Corps League. "This is an opportunity for us to say 'Thank you' to everyone who has served their country in the military by sharing a gift of food. We hope all veterans in the community will join us."
Shannon Cameron, Executive Director of Aurora Food Pantry, hopes that the community will help to share information about this special event. "While this is a gift for all veterans, we ask that veterans and other community members make a particular effort to extend this invitation to any veterans they know who are struggling, as the gift of food could provide them an additional level of assistance," said Cameron. "Veterans have given so much to our country, and we are honored to serve them."
Additional information about the Veterans celebration at Aurora Food Pantry is available by calling (630) 897-2127 or visiting www.aurorafoodpantry.org/veterans.
Founded in 1981, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry operates one of the largest food pantries in northern Illinois, distributing 3.5 million annually. The mission of Aurora Food Pantry is to help end local hunger by ensuring that everyone has access to enough nourishing food, thereby helping our overall community stay healthy and productive. For more information on Aurora Food Pantry, please visit www.aurorafoodpantry.org or call (630) 897-2127.
The Fox Valley Marine Corps League comprises Marines and Marine veterans who have served honorably in the Corps. The League aims to perpetuate the traditions and spirit of the Marine Corps. The League also holds various fundraising events, such as its Annual Golf Classic, which raises funds to assist current and former armed services members and their families.