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Fox Valley Marine Corps League plans 12th annual Golf Classic

A round of golf with lunch provided by The Patio, free refreshments on the course plus a steak dinner will feed more than just individual golfers.

The Fox Valley Marine Corps League will donate the proceeds of the 12th annual Golf Classic at Bliss Creek Golf Course in Sugar Grove to veterans and their families, specifically to help those affected by food insecurity.

The outing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Beneficiaries of the outing will be the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry and the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, both of which offer special services to veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs began screening vets who visit its health care facilities for hunger several years ago. Vets are asked if they've struggled to afford food in the previous three months.

Twenty-seven percent of vets who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have struggled to put food on the table, according to The Washington Post.

Diane Renner, executive director of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, said the pantry has 126 families coming to the pantry on a regular basis with a veteran in the family.

"We are proud to offer a special day of sharing food for veterans along with the elderly and disabled," Renner said.

On Wednesdays, veterans can shop for food and other items from the pantry in a slower-paced environment.

"We are honored that the Marine Corps League is helping to support our pantry," Renner said.

To support both Aurora pantries in a big way, the League is seeking sponsors for the event. Sponsorships range from $150 to $2,000.

"Our outings sell out every year," said Scott Roscoe, Sergeant-at-Arms for the group. Deadline for registration is July 15.

"But right now we are working on sponsorships. They really are the meat-and-potatoes of the event and we couldn't do it without them."

Last year's $2,000 Gold Sponsors included Accurate Color & Compounding and Cordogan Clark Architects. Some other sponsors were Aldermen Ted Mesiacos and Carl Franco, and the City of Aurora Veterans Advisory Council.

Kat Battista, executive director of the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, said on average, the pantry serves between 19,000 and 20,000 people each year.

"Many of the people who come to the pantry identify as veterans," she said. "They are not required to disclose their veteran status to receive food. But we know some of them to be vets because they have a relationship with AMVETS, which is next door to our facility. And we know because they are proud that they have served their country."

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry also has a day dedicated to the men and women who have fought for our nation, Battista said.

The pantry also employs veterans, including Battista's executive assistant, who served in the United States Army.

"We appreciate the generosity of the Marine Corps and that they are helping to fund what we do here. It's wonderful our veterans, and specifically the U.S. Marine Corps, see our pantry as a place where people can come and get the nourishment they need.

"Hunger doesn't have any boundaries. It impacts different people from all walks of life. And men and women who served are continuing to serve by seeing that people get access to good, nourishing food. In that way, their service has not ended."

The cost for golf and dinner is $135. Dinner only is $50.

Call Lisa Garcia, (630) 486-9869 for information on sponsorship or attending the outing.

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