Veterans Pantry at Hines VA Clinic
Veterans may visit the Pop-Up Pantry at Hines VA Clinic, 61 S Lincolnway St, North Aurora, IL any time the clinic is open. Marie's Pantry and friends are committed to ensure all of our veterans have access to nourishing food at all times.
Many thanks to volunteer & veteran John Montasano for making weekly trips to keep pantry shelves stocked at the VA clinic!
Veterans Gardening Day
The first Saturday in May is officially "Veterans Gardening Day" in the state of Illinois!
Marie's Pantry celebrated the day with a gathering ceremony, a meal, and a planting opportunity for local veterans at Marie's Urban Farm & Community Gardens.
Veterans Gardening Day Celebration
Volunteer at Marie Wilkinson Pantry & Gardens
Marie Wilkinson of Aurora, IL
Marie Wilkinson was a lifetime social and civil rights activist who fought against poverty, hunger, homelessness, joblessness, and injustice. Marie founded the Aurora, IL Food Pantry in the 1950’s after a near-death experience that caused her to make a personal commitment to helping the less fortunate.
Driven by a new life purpose, Wilkinson began giving out bags of food to those in need from her bungalow on View Street. She recruited friends and neighbors to help, and soon she had a started a soup kitchen and food pantry. Today, the Food Pantry continues to serve the communities of Aurora IL, Kane County and the surrounding areas.