On Friday, November 9, the Fox Valley Marine Corps League and Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry will hold its Second Annual Veterans Pantry in celebration of Veterans’ Day and the 243rd birthday of the Marine Corps. All Veterans and their families are invited to Aurora Food Pantry at 1110 Jericho Rd. between noon and 2 p.m. to share some birthday cake and receive a gift of food, including meat, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, and non-perishable items to continue the celebration at home with their own meal. Participants are asked to bring a photo ID, proof of military service and bags to hold the food gift.
Last year’s Veterans Pantry was a great success, serving 90 veterans, 60 of whom had never been to Aurora Food Pantry before. Aurora Food Pantry hopes to reach even more veterans at this year’s event and introduce our weekly services. Any veteran in the community is welcome to come on a weekly basis and receive about $115 worth of food at each visit.
The event, occurring the day before Veterans Day, was planned as one of the many Veterans Day activities that will take place across the community in honor of our veterans. The cost of the event will be underwritten by the Fox Valley Marine Corps League.
“We encourage all veterans to come help us celebrate the Marine Corps’ birthday and honor all of our veterans,” said Jim Butler, of the Fox Valley Marine Corps League. “This is an opportunity for us to say ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has served their country in the military by sharing cake and a gift of food. We hope all veterans in the community will join us.”
Marilyn Weisner, Executive Director of Aurora Food Pantry, hopes that the community will help to share information about this birthday celebration and gift of food. “While this is a celebration of all veterans, with special recognition of the Marine Corps birthday, we ask that veterans and other community members make a particular effort to extend this invitation to any veterans they know who are struggling, as the gift of food could provide them an additional level of assistance,” said Weisner. “Veterans have given so much to our country and we are honored to serve them.”
Additional information about the Veterans celebration at Aurora Food Pantry is available by calling 630-897-2127 or by visiting www.aurorafoodpantry.org/veterans-food-pantry.
Founded in 1981, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry operates one of the largest food pantries in northern Illinois, distributing 3.7 million pounds of food to approximately 23,000 unique individuals annually. The mission of Aurora Food Pantry is to help end local hunger by ensuring that everyone has access to enough nourishing food, thereby helping our overall community stay healthy and productive. For more information on Aurora Food Pantry please visit www.aurorafoodpantry.org or call 630-687-2127.
The Fox Valley Marine Corps League is an organization comprised of Marines and Marine veterans who have served honorably in the Corps. The League’s aim is to perpetuate the traditions and spirit of the Marine Corps. The League also holds various fundraising events, such as its Annual Golf Classic, which raises funds that are used to assist current and former members of the armed services and their families.
— Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry