Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry has completed the Parking Lot Expansion for Safety Project at 834 North Highland Avenue in Aurora,Ill.. The new parking lot adds 38 spaces for guests, conveniently on the north side of Marie’s West Side Pantry. New handicap accessible spaces facilitate equitable access for all guests. Attractive new landscape plantings add curb appeal, helping to beautify the neighborhood.
“On behalf of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry Volunteers and the Board of Directors, I would like to thank the City of Aurora Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) committee, the Kane County Board, and the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley for their collaboration,” said Diane Renner, Pantry director. “This project would not have been possible without their support, and their provision of generous grant awards to fund this much needed enhancement” Renner said.
“Expanding the parking lot is already providing a safer experience for Marie’s Food Pantry guests, the team of dedicated volunteers, and the many gardeners who are working hard to produce nutritious food to share with our community,” Renner said.
Marie’s West Pantry guests had struggled with limited street parking in the past. The busy traffic pattern during food-sharing time made crossing the street a safety concern. The 38 new parking spaces adjacent to the Pantry provide safe access. Safety is especially needed for the growing number of seniors and guests with disabilities who rely on weekly services for wellness education and nutritional support.
Volunteers are planning to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry volunteers have invested in raising the quality of life for all Aurora area households for more than 60 years.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG or “Block Grant”) funds are granted directly to Aurora to assist low to moderate income persons who earn 80% of the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Area Median Income or below. Block Grant funds generally are spent to assist low to moderate income Aurora residents, or to eliminate substandard conditions that may exist in our community.
The Kane County Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund was established by the Kane County Board in 1997. The Kane County Board utilizes Grand Victoria Riverboat funds to support a variety of projects and programs aimed at strengthening Kane County communities, promote collaboration among organizations, and provide long-term solutions to problems facing Kane County residents.
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a non-profit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization that administers individual charitable funds from which grants and scholarships are distributed for the benefit of citizens of the Aurora area, the Tri-Cities, and Kendall County. Founded in 1948, the Foundation provides a simple and powerful approach to charitable giving. Individuals, families, businesses, and organizations have the opportunity to custom design their own named funds that reflect their charitable goals and interests. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to more than $90 Million in assets and has awarded more than $70 Million in grants and scholarships. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.CommunityFoundationFRV.org or call 630-896-7800.
