Aurora’s Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry will unveil a Veterans Victory Garden at the Pantry’s community garden, 835 Highland Avenue in Aurora, at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7.
Pantry director Diane Renner said the public is invited. Parking is free.
According to Renner, the event will celebrate passage of Ill. House Bill 2894 that designates the first Saturday in May as Veterans Gardening Day. Terry Prince, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, will be a guest speaker. A special celebration is planned to honor the 113th birthday of the late Marie Wilkinson, pantry founder and Aurora civil rights advocate.
The pantry transformed a half-acre lot that once was occupied by five houses into a community garden that grows produce that is donated to the pantry. Charity Blooms, an Aurora nonprofit, has managed the garden since 2018, calling it an urban farm.
Each Garden member has his or her own plot. Members are partners to help care for common areas. Seasoned local gardeners, farmers, and University of Illinois Extension educators are regular guest advisers.
The property includes a 500 square-foot greenhouse, solar power, a large outdoor kitchen, entertainment space with seating for 32, an aviary, a monarch butterfly education area, pollinator gardens with bee hotel, self-paced activities and automated composting. Volunteers teach gardening classes for all ages, host private gatherings and public events.
Garden manager Rob Vaughn said he and two friends founded Charity Blooms to help others by starting a non-profit farm. He said, “Today, we manage multiple properties across Aurora. Our goal is to provide free, fresh, produce to our community. We have no paid staff (members) or experience in agriculture. Just a passion for helping others.”
Charity Blooms can be visited at www.charityblooms.org or send an Email to info@mwfoodpantry.org for more information.
—Al Benson