Our community of volunteers and charitable givers is incredible! Last year was another record-breaker, with approximately 1,600 visits to our Food Pantry for the first time. Most never dreamed they would ever need to rely on the kindness of strangers to feed their families.
This years report shows a 47% increase in first-time visitors. Times are hard for many, because a dollar simply doesn’t stretch as far as it used to go.
Perhaps the most alarming update, is that our food prices have risen 82%. The steep increase in pricing affects purchasing power, dry goods and shelf-stable items that are in high demand are often either not available, or found at prohibitively high prices.
We’re so thankful that our Food Rescue program (100% volunteer powered!) is going very strong, supplying guests with an excellent foundation of fresh produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods.
With decades of experience serving our community, we know how to make a little go a long way. And we trust that in the season to come, as in seasons past, the community will come through with support.
Our pantry guests receive so much more than a meal. They receive kindness, nutritious food served by compassionate volunteers, and access to nutrition education to help build healthy lifestyles.
Guests find a warm environment dedicated to helping them work through all their challenges: Nutritional, social, and emotional.
Through generosity, the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry changes the lives of our clients and our volunteers!
Marie’s Pantry programs are growing!
• Purchased a refrigerated box truck for Food Rescue pick-ups.
• Expanded the Senior Food Delivery program.
• Reinstalled Student Food Days at East Aurora High School.
• Doubled greenhouse vegetable growing space at Marie’s Urban Farm and Gardens.
• Developed a second Community Garden, 33 new garden plots!
• Installed an industrial commercial composter & worm composting bins.
• Created a Veterans Pantry at the VA clinic in Aurora.
We help those such as Larry, a widowed father of three who, after a few weeks of support, was once again provided for his family.
We help some one such as Tim, who came to us as a court-ordered volunteer and later returned as a donor because he had seen the good that we do first hand.
In 65 years of caring for our local community, the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry has probably touched the life of someone you know.
Consider setting up a monthly gift online. Any amount is appreciated!
Donate – Help End Hunger Today
See the impact of your gifts:
• 54,714 individuals served in one year;
• 600 families served each week;
• 1,735,187 meals shared with local households;
• 1,598 new guests visited Marie’s Pantry for the first time;
• 15,450 hours of donated volunteer time (~7.5 full-time staff!);
• Provided 2,500 families a Thanksgiving meal;
• 97 pounds of food provided with each pantry visit;
• 25,507 miles driven to rescue food for distribution;
• 2,089 engaged in cooking, nutrition and health classes;
• 1,350 boxes of food delivered to senior residences.
As 2022 draws to a close, we predict an even greater need for our services in 2023. We will rise to the challenge with the help of generous people of the Aurora area. Your support is what makes it possible for us to carry out life-changing work in this community.
As you plan your year-end giving, please remember the hungry in your community. Your donation helps us provide food, services, and perhaps most importantly, hope.
From all of us at Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, we wish the best of holidays and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Diane Renner, executive director, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry