Those in need Friday morning got an extra-large helping of groceries during the fifth Aurora Divine 9 Juneteenth Food Distribution event at Phillips Park.

The event, which served as a kickoff to Aurora’s Juneteenth Week celebration, was designed to provide free groceries to up to 1,000 families, according to a press release about the session.

Although the drive-thru food distribution wasn’t scheduled to begin until 9 a.m., many people including Aurora resident Maribel Millet showed up early.

“I got here around 5:30 this morning and this is about the earliest I’ve been here. I’ve come before,” Millet said as she waited in line Friday for the event to begin. “This is really going to help me and my sister. It’s just me and her.”

In partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the food distribution was offered by Aurora in Black, the city of Aurora’s African American Heritage Advisory Board, the city of Aurora and the Divine 9, a collective of suburban members representing nine historically Black fraternities and sororities.

Clayton Muhammed, who co-organized the effort and spoke on behalf of the Aurora in Black group, said the food distribution event began “as we were coming out of COVID and was so successful we extended this for Juneteenth to honor the holiday which we thought made sense.”

“We partner historically with Black fraternities and sororities in the western suburban area to be the faces of the food deliveries,” he said. “In terms of food giveaways this is definitely one of the largest. We’ve got over 40,000 pounds of food – or 40 pounds per family.”

Muhammad said with the current state of the economy and rising energy costs, “food insecurity is growing.”

“Food prices and gas are high and, on top of that, we have the SNAP benefits that were cut off last year and this year there are new requirements that families have to meet. All those things combined have had an impact,” he said. “We know that demands on food pantries are increasing something like 20% or 30% and even 40% in some cases. The need is outrageously out there and we are doing our part.”

Muhammad said the number of volunteers at the event was expected to reach more than 150 and said participation “is very important to the Black community as well as the Black fraternities and sororities.”

Cheryl Taylor, a volunteer at the event from Naperville, spoke enthusiastically about her own group, Delta Sigma Theta, and said helping out at the food distribution event is important.

“I’m just so excited to volunteer and be able to help the community,” she said.

Jimmy Sims of Bolingbrook was representing Phi Beta Sigma fraternity at the event and said he and others “wanted to come out and help families as Juneteenth is the celebration of the freedom for Blacks in America.”

“It’s great to be able to help the community and give back. This is my fifth year” helping out at the event, he said. “For me, being here year after year – sadly, we have to do it, but it’s a great thing that we can do it and we’re willing to do it. With the Divine 9 and the Black fraternities and sororities, we all come to give back to the community. The people that do this get as much or more out of it than the people we help.”

Aurora Mayor John Laesch was on hand at the event and said “the energy is awesome.”

“I talked to an organizer who said more communities are stepping up after the reduction in SNAP benefits to make sure people are fed,” he said.

Margie Williams of Aurora was among the first arriving Friday for the food distribution and said she has come to the event before.

“I got here at 5:30 and it’s been four hours of waiting,” she said. “Of course, it’s worth it.”

Inthira Schmitt of Aurora said she arrived at 6 a.m. for the food distribution.

“I’m glad they have this. It’s my first time and, of course, I’m thankful,” she said.

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.