Aurora mobile food pantry to stop by Aurora shopping center Oct. 1
Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry's mobile pantry will host a drive-through food giveaway in the shopping center parking lot, 970 N. Lake St. in Aurora, on Friday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.
In addition to food and household items, the event will feature North Aurora-based Maddie's Mitten March, a nonprofit by West Aurora High School alum Madeline "Maddie" Bozik.
Using a converted school bus to display items, Bozik gives away coats, hats, gloves and other winter gear to needy people. Additionally, Fox Valley United Way will provide information about its services.
The public is invited. Parking is free. Identification is not required.
In inaugural pop-up food giveaways at senior and low-income residences, an Aurora food pantry served about 100 residents at Fox Valley senior and low-income residences recently.
On Sept. 22, the pantry served 58 residents at Eden Supportive Living in North Aurora. On Sept., 15, Interfaith served 47 residents of Mercy Housing apartments in Batavia. The distributions were Interfaith's first to senior and low-income residents after prior pop-up pantries began in January at church, school and shopping center parking lots.
Rebecca Dunnigan, Interfaith community outreach and program director, said plans are underway for more pop-ups at senior and low-income residences. Only facility residents are invited to the distributions.
Food for 200 families is available on a first-come basis. Items distributed include granola bars, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, eggs, ground beef, cereal, applesauce, apple juice and box dinners. Additionally, laundry detergent, toilet paper, hand soap, kids band aids and hand sanitizer are distributed.
Dunnigan said patrons do not need to leave their vehicles to claim food. Pantry volunteers observing pandemic safety procedures load $100 bags of groceries into patrons' vehicles.
The mobile pantries continue Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at White Oak Library parking lot in Crest Hill. Partners with Interfaith are Fox Valley Park District, Calvary Church of Naperville and Blessings in a Backpack of Chicago.
Dunnigan reported Interfaith served a record 401 families, including 733 children, Aug. 14 at Georgetown Elementary School in Aurora. In addition to food, toilet paper, laundry detergent and hygiene items, 400 backpacks containing school supplies were distributed. Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and eighth ward alderman Patty Smith assisted.
Call (630) 692-3061, email rdunnigan@aurorafoodpantry.org or visit www.aurorafoodpantry.org for more information.