Thinking of others never should go out of style; never should be old, always should be in vogue and always be of value.
We have many examples:
Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, 1110 Jericho Road in Aurora is holding its 16th annual Holiday Food Drive November 1-22.
Forty suburban businesses in Aurora, Montgomery, Naperville, are in the fight against hunger by displaying table tents and flyers, and ask the larger community to donate to the food drive and make room at the table for someone in need this holiday season. The food drive is being held at three grocery stores: Prisco’s Family, 1108, Prairie Street; Aurora; Cermak Fresh Market, 1250 N. Lake Street; and Food Market La Chicquita, 1524 Douglas Road, Montgomery. Donors can purchase a bag of food to be given to the Pantry, or, buy a virtual bag of groceries by donating $20, through the Pantry’s website: aurorafoodpantry.org.
Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) successfully has secured $240,000 in State funding for the expansion of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s west pantry in Aurora. The grant, dedicated solely for building expansion, will address the urgent need for increased space and improved facilities at the Pantry. The Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, a cornerstone of community support in Aurora, has been operating at full capacity for serving a growing population of individuals and families in need. The expansion project, set to begin in the Spring, will enlarge the building parking lot footprint towards the South, to provide essential space for enhanced services. “I am incredible proud to have played role in securing this vital grant for Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry,” said representative Kifowit. “We are excited to be able to provide a larger space for critical wrap-around services and education programming, not only for our guests but, for the general public,” said Marie Wilkinson executive director, Diane Renner.
Thanks to the additional $1.8 million in community project funding secured by U.S. congressman Bill Foster (IL-11th District, the Food Pantry will not need to do any fundraising for the expansion project to allow it to focus its resources entirely on its core mission of proving essential food assistance to the community.
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry will be host to the ninth annual event of an array of soups, savory bites and sweet samplings served by more than 25 Aurora area chefs from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. Entry is $40 for adults, $12. for children ages 6-12, and free for kids under the age of 5. Tickets are on sale at mwfoodpantry.org/fill-th-bowls. Participants will enjoy, “Taste of Fox Valley when they sample dishes from chefs and restaurants, including: A Girl and Mixer, AC’s Pub, Anchor Bar, Atrevete Confections, Aurora Tap House, Black Pepper Lounge, Charity Blooms, Craft Urban, Dick’s Mini Donuts, East Aurora High School Iron Paw (FCCLA Club) Fireside Grille, Holy Pierogi!, Jake’s Bagels & Deli, Katich Breads, Kitchen Ten, La Casa Pollo Asado, Ms Jana’s Candy, Open Range Southwest Grill, Pal Joey’s Restaurant & Bar, Pig Dog Pub, Reuland Food Services, Riverside Pizza & Pub, Smallcakes, Spartan House, Stockholms Restaurant & Brewery, Tasty Vegans, Tavern on Broadway, and Two Brothers Artisan Brewing. Major support is provide by Dolan & Murphy Real Estate and Two Brothers Roundhouse. Every guest will receive a commemorative soup mug honoring the life of artist Pat Finley (1945-2023) Pat’s legacy includes the creation of hand-painted signage for Marie Wikinson’s Pantry, Dolan & Murphy Real Estate, and hundreds of Aurora area businesses.
A note from readers in the southwest suburbs includes a generous thank you from the Paesel family, which wrote, “The entire Paesel and extended family would like to thank the Crete Fire Department, the staff members at Lincoln Oaks Golf Course, and the countless number of golfers, who stopped their daily routine to help one of our family members during a medical situation, that occurred while playing golf. Thanks to them our family member is doing well and on his way to a full recovery. A job well done! Thank you, again!”
There is still time to register to join the Oswegoland Heritage Association Saturday, Nov. 4 for a stroll down the Village’s historic South Main Street. Call Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010.