As the effects of COVID-19 continue to impact our communities, food insecurity levels continue to rise. Aurora is coming together, once again, to fill in the gap.
The City of Aurora will host its third communitywide Pop-Up Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 10 at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive.
The no-contact drive-thru food distribution will provide food to 1,200 families.
Provided by the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), the food distribution will include boxes of fresh and quality meat, dairy and produce.
“Our pop up pantries are a mixed blessing,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin. “While we are happy to provide this much-needed service for our community, it is disheartening to see the need continue to grow during this pandemic. Thankfully, through our partnerships, we have the ability and opportunity to help.”
The first citywide pop up pantry in May provided food to 800 families. The second one in June served 1,000 families. The 20% increase to 1,200 families for next week’s event is a direct response to the increasing need in the community. No identification is necessary to receive food.
Traffic flow in the general area will be directed by the Aurora Police Department and the Aurora Emergency Management Agency to provide guidance and ease congestion. Additional traffic details will be posted on the City’s social media pages prior to the event.
The pop-up pantry is a partnership between the City of Aurora, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, the Quad County Urban League and Ward 3 alderman Ted Mesiacos.
-City of Aurora government