The 17th annual Aurora Holiday Food Drive is now in its final days, and it's a time when the community comes together to make a difference. Organizers have noticed that this year's drive is slightly behind last year's pace. Katie Arko, the executive director of the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, emphasizes the importance of giving what one can to assist those less fortunate. Every penny donated and every can purchased from the participating stores holds great significance.
Stocking the Shelves for 1,300 Families
The main goal of this food drive is to stock the shelves of the pantry, which serves an impressive 1,300 families in a single week. Hundreds of volunteers and staff have dedicated their time and efforts to make this campaign a success. It takes place at three prominent grocery stores - Prisco’s Family Market at 1108 Prairie St., Aurora; Cermak Fresh Market at 1250 N. Lake St., Aurora; and La Chiquita at 1525 Douglas Road, Montgomery. These stores play a crucial role in gathering donations.The local food drives organized by social clubs, neighborhoods, churches, school groups, and others add to the overall donations during this holiday season. One such dedicated volunteer is Dan Dolan, who is regarded as the godfather of the Holiday Food Drive. He came up with the idea 17 years ago and, along with his family, pours his heart, soul, time, and energy into helping the pantry every year. He spends his time writing letters to raise funds, goes to the grocery stores to pack bags, distributes flyers to customers, makes phone calls, and utilizes his social media network to spread the word about the cause.The food drive began on November 1 and will run through Wednesday, November 27. People have the option to buy packaged bags of groceries worth $5, $10, $15, and $20 as they go through the checkout line during their normal shopping. Two years ago, a new feature was added - the ability to buy a $20 virtual bag online. Additionally, the pantry accepts monetary donations. The money is used to purchase food from the Geneva-based Northern Illinois Food Bank, and interestingly, every $1 donated actually buys $8 worth of food.Both the virtual bags and monetary donations can be made at the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry website, https://www.aurorafoodpantry.org/. Monetary donations can also be sent the old-fashioned way by mailing checks to the pantry at 1110 Jericho Road, Aurora, IL, 60506. Checks should be made out to Aurora Food Pantry.Volunteers play a vital role in the food drive by passing out flyers promoting the drive at the participating grocery stores. Ways to volunteer can be found on the pantry's website. Individuals, families, businesses, churches, Scouting and student groups, and other organizations all come together to offer their support.On Sunday, from 3 to 5 p.m., a fifth-grade Girl Scout troop from Freeman Elementary School was scheduled to be at Prisco’s Family Market in Aurora. They were handing out flyers, spreading holiday cheer, and encouraging people to buy a bag of groceries to donate to the pantry. This is the third year in a row that this troop has volunteered to help the pantry.The sponsors of the Aurora Holiday Food Drive include Dolan and Murphy, Inc. real estate; Konen Insurance; Gerald Subaru of North Aurora; AuraLight Dispensary; Douglas Carpet One; Aurora Bank & Trust; Bob’s Discount Furniture; Oak St. Health; AC’s Pub; Ald. Patty Smith, 8th Ward; The Beacon-News; Aurora Fastprint; Prisco’s Family Market; Cermak Fresh Market; La Chiquita; and 95.9 The River.The efforts of all these individuals and organizations truly make a difference in the lives of those in need during the holiday season. It shows the power of community and the importance of coming together to support one another. 