Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, 1110 Jericho Road in Aurora, will hold a first drive-thru free food distribution for military personnel on Memorial Day weekend Friday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Invited are veterans, active-duty personnel and Gold Star families. Pantry volunteers will load patrons’ vehicles with bags of food, including meat, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables and non-perishable items. Participants are asked to bring a photo ID.
Shannon Cameron, pantry executive director, said cosponsors are the Fox Valley Marine Corps League, Illinois Joining Forces and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
She said the event will open at 9:50 a.m. with a prayer. A color guard will post the colors and pantry officials, elected officials and veterans’ groups representatives have been invited to be speakers. Students from high school Reserve Officer Training Corps units are invited.
A public display of 11×17 banners in the pantry’s patio will feature photographs and information about local veterans.
According to Cameron, Interfaith has been host to an annual veterans pantry around Memorial Day since 2016. Past pantries served approximately 90 veterans, including many first-time visitors.
Call 630-897-2127 or visit www.aurorafoodpantry.org/veterans for more information.
—Al Benson