Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Various union members, including Jimmy John’s Owner and food pantry staff members prepare to serve residents of Downer Place in Aurora. During visits, upwards of 100 residents partake in the event.
By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com
AURORA — The call was put out, and several area union business managers and members answered. The task was to unload a Northern Illinois Food Bank box truck and serve the residents of Downer Place senior residences in Aurora.
The residents at Downer Place, part of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, have partially subsidized housing, and the mobile food bank visits every two months from March to September. When the food truck pulls up, close to 100 people line up to supplement their food with items they normally wouldn’t get.
“About 80 percent of the people here don’t drive, so this is very convenient for them. They stock up their kitchens with food items we normally don’t have,” said Colleen Smith, property manager of Downer Place. “The residents absolutely love it, and they use some of the food for special treats for their grandchildren.”
The spread included everything from corn dogs to lettuce, apples, cheese, breakfast sandwiches, canned goods and everything in between.
Laborers, painters, sheetmetal workers, plumbers, Teamsters, electricians and ceramic tile workers unloaded the truck March 19 and served the seniors with a smile. The unions have been doing this service for about a year, according to Fox Valley Building and Construction Trades Council President Scott Roscoe.
“They need help, we put out the call to business managers, and here we are,” said Roscoe. “People are always very happy and thankful.”
The food comes from donations and store supplies, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank partners with the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry to distribute it.
“The unions are amazing, sometimes I don’t even have to be present for these deliveries, they run like clockwork,” said Brisa Barraza, program coordinator for the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry. “They put it all together and make it work, and they do a wonderful job.”
The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry distributes food on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those needing food may visit the pantry one time each week. For further information about distribution, please contact the pantry office at 630-897-2127.