Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry launches prepared meals program, ‘Mobile Meals’

The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry launched a new prepared meals program, Mobile Meals, on July 1, 2026.

This latest addition to the pantry’s food distribution services features a 14-foot commercial food truck that will deliver fresh meals prepared by community partners to scheduled locations and key touchpoints throughout the Aurora area.

The program seeks to meet the needs of food-insecure populations that may lack access to kitchens or stable housing, be housebound, or be experiencing a crisis.

The Mobile Meals program is made possible by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Project Funding (CPF) Award and a recommendation from Sen. Dick Durbin during the Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding process. The total grant award, $700,000, is one of the largest single grants ever received by the pantry.

Joining the pantry for the program launch were Durbin and City of Aurora Mayor John Laesch. Pantry Executive Director Katie Arko, Durbin, and Mayor Laesch kicked off the launch with short remarks, with lunch then being served from the Mobile Meals Truck.

“This will be the only program of its kind in our region,” Arko said. “It’s designed to reach those who might feel invisible: people experiencing homelessness, seniors who are homebound, veterans, women and children living in a battered women’s shelter, and families living in crisis. By bringing freshly prepared, well-balanced meals directly to the community and partnering with other nonprofits, we can reach people during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.”

“We give of ourselves to our neighbors in the hopes that their lives will be a little better. What a perfect illustration this pantry is of that value,” Durbin said. “It isn’t just the food. It’s the fact that somebody who cares, knocks on your door and says, ‘I got a meal for you, it’s good for you.’ That is what America is about, it’s what Aurora is about, and it’s what we’re about today.”

“The community partnerships that are forming around this mobile food distribution are exciting,” Laesch said. “And the city is excited to be part of this partnership.”

Mobile Meals is already scheduling deliveries with partner organizations and hopes to continue expanding its network of community partners. If you are interested in working with Mobile Meals in any capacity, email Mobile Meals Coordinator Diana Alanis at dalanis@aurorafoodpantry.org.

“This program is truly one of a kind because it allows us to operate our own food truck to deliver fresh, ready-to-eat warm meals all free of charge, directly to members of our community,” Alanis said. “It is an amazing opportunity to connect with people, serve those in need, and make a positive impact in their lives. I look forward to meeting community members, building relationships, and ensuring that everyone we serve feels valued, supported, and cared for.”

About Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

Founded in 1981, the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry (colloquially referred to as “Aurora Food Pantry”) operates one of the largest food pantries in northern Illinois, distributing 3.6 million pounds of food each year and serving over 1,500 households each week. Its mission is to strengthen the community by connecting those in need with nourishing food and access to area resources. For more information, visit aurorafoodpantry.org.