Year End Giving – Letter from the Director

Hunger rates are climbing in America, as rising costs and an uncertain economy affect a growing number of people. For thousands of people in Aurora, Kane County, and surrounding counties, the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry is more than a source of nutrition – it’s a beacon of hope and human kindness.

Through Community Donations, Marie’s Pantry programs grow!

  • Purchased a refrigerated box truck for our food rescue program.
  • Expanded our senior food delivery program.
  • Reinstalled ‘Student Food Days’ at East Aurora High School.
  • Doubled the greenhouse vegetable growing space at Marie’s Urban Farm & Gardens.
  • Developed a second Community Garden – 33 new garden plots!
  • Purchased an industrial commercial composter & worm composting bins.
  • Installed Veterans Pantry at the VA clinic in Aurora.
Support for Our Seniors

Hunger rates are climbing in America, as rising costs and an uncertain economy affect a growing number of people. For thousands of people in Aurora, Kane County, and surrounding counties, the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry is more than a source of nutrition – it’s a beacon of hope and human kindness.

Last year, nearly 1,600 people visited our food pantry for the first time. Some of them never dreamed they would ever need to rely on the kindness of strangers to feed their family. We have seen this trend continue in 2022, as more and more new visitors come in.

These visitors receive so much more than a meal. They receive nutritious food served by compassionate volunteers. They have access to nutrition education to help them build healthy lifestyles. And they find a warm environment dedicated to helping them work through all their challenges – nutritional, social, and emotional.

Times are hard, and a dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. With decades of experience serving our community, we know how to make a little go a long way. For every $1 donated to the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, we’re able to buy $8 worth of food to help people in need.

New! Healthy Cooking Classes

Through the generosity of people like you, the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry changes the lives of our clients and our volunteers.

We help people like Larry – a widowed father of three who, after a few weeks of support, was once again able to provide for his family. And we help people like Tim, who came to us as a court-ordered volunteer and later returned as a donor because he had seen the good that we do.

In 65 years of caring for our local community, the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry has probably touched the life of someone you know. Our mission is unchanged: to carry on Marie’s legacy of meeting the hunger needs of individuals and families in Aurora and surrounding communities by educating, empowering, and enlightening people to be self-sustainable through collaborations and partnerships.

See the Impact of Your Generous Gifts!

Thank you Knights of Columbus!
  • 54,714 individuals served in one year
  • 600 families served each week
  • 1,735,187 meals provided to households
  • 1,598 new guests visited Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry for the first time
  • 15,450 hours of donated volunteer time equivalent to 7.5 full-time staff
  • Provided 2,500 families a Thanksgiving meal
  • 97 lbs of food provided with each pantry visit
  • 25,507 miles driven to collect or rescue food for distribution
  • 2,089 engaged in our cooking, nutrition and health education classes
  • 1,350 boxes of food delivered to senior residences

As 2022 draws to a close, we predict an even greater need for our services in 2023. We will rise to the challenge with the help of generous people like you. Your support is what makes it possible for us to carry out life-changing work in this community.

As you plan your year-end giving, please remember the hungry in your community. Your donation helps us provide food, services, and perhaps most importantly, hope.

From all of us at Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry – we wish the best of holidays and a happy new year. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Diane Renner
Executive Director
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry