Military Members Offered Free Food in Aurora This Memorial Day

AURORA, IL—Veterans, active duty military members and Gold Star families are invited to eat well (and free) this Memorial Day weekend.

The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry will be giving approximately $140 in food to military personnel from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 28.

Pull on up to the pantry, 1110 Jericho Rd. in Aurora, and volunteers will load up vehicles with meat, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables and other non-perishable items.

Recipients are asked to bring a photo ID.

Shannon Cameron, pantry executive director said the event will open at 9:50 a.m. with a prayer. A color guard will post the colors and pantry officials, elected officials and veterans’ groups representatives have been invited to speak. Students from high school Reserve Officer Training Corps units are invited.

The event will also feature banners displaying pictures and information about local veterans.

“Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry hopes to reach even more veterans at this year’s event and introduce them to our weekly services,” Cameron said. “Any veteran in the community is welcome to come on a weekly basis.”

The annual veteran's event began in 2016. And while other Memorial Day events have served around 90 veterans, Cameron hopes this year they can help even more.

“We encourage all veterans to come help us commemorate those that have fallen and honor all of our veterans,” said Kris Kearns, Fox Valley Marine Corps League commandant.“This is an opportunity for us to say thank you to everyone who has served their country in the military by sharing a gift of food. We hope all veterans in the community will join us.”

Kearns encouraged veterans and other community members to spread the word about the event in an effort to reach more people.

“They know who are struggling, and the gift of food could provide them an additional level of assistance,” Cameron said. “Veterans have given so much to our country and we are honored to serve them.”