Home pantries foster the image of food available to nourish hungry family members. It is hard to believe that, in this day and age, families in the affluent Fox Valley are experiencing hunger, but it is true.

Households with limited resources often must choose between paying their rent and feeding their families. Food assistance often can prevent the tragedy of homelessness for people “living on the edge.”

Since 1980, concerned citizens in the Aurora area have attempted to provide canned goods and other groceries to persons in need of food assistance. That movement, known as the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, has seen substantial increases in the requests from year to year.

The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Inc., located at Hesed House, provides food for more than 300 families each week, making 14,000 distributions in the past year.

AAIFP received the Illinois Governors’ Hometown Award for their impressive volunteer efforts and donations. However, seeking resources to support the pantry has been an ongoing challenge. Although many faith communities have been involved from the earliest days, and some government funds have been received, the amounts do not begin to meet the ever growing need.

The Food Pantry constantly solicits support from area businesses, civic groups, and other community resources.