Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Boxes and boxes of donated cereal fill the shelves at the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry. Cereal was recently donated by Aurora Education Association-West teachers after it held a cereal drive during February. AEA-W gathered almost 1,000 boxes for the pantry.
By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday Feb. 27, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com
AURORA — The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry received a large donation of a staple item this month, thanks to a local education union.
The Aurora Education Association-West donated just under 1,000 boxes of cereal to the food pantry at the end of February, capping off a month long drive at District 129 schools.
Even though it’s a large donation, Kristan Ensminger, director of operations at the pantry said it would be distributed to area families in less than a week, and started it March 2.
“Yes, this will be gone in a week. We serve about 750 families per week,” she said. “So food goes fast.”
The cereal is definitely appreciated by the families, who shop at the pantry on Monday, Tuesday and Friday at the new, larger location at 1110 Jericho Road.
“Our clients love cereal. It’s pretty nutritious, easy to make for the kids, and it’s a popular item that’s always on our shelves,” said Ensminger. “We wanted to keep this drive simple. Cereal is easy to collect, store, stack, and everyone likes it.”
The new 18,000 square foot food pantry opened in November 2013, and has been a big hit this winter, as it features an indoor waiting room, public restrooms, a children’s play area, and office space. Union labor was used in its construction.
About 160,000 people were served last year, and the number of those in need goes up every year, which makes donations important.
“District 129 has always been supportive of us, and we are very appreciative of that,” said Ensminger.
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.