After Hours: May 2020

DuPage Childrens Museum recently donated $2,000 worth of developmental toys to shelters and pantries in its service area from the Museum's Explorer Store. Visitor Services Manager Hiroki Ogawa and Director of Development Renee Miklosik practiced safe social distancing measures to coordinate donations to Hesed House in Aurora and West Suburban Food Pantry in Woodridge.

When the Annual VFW Lenten Fish Fry in Naperville was shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hosts Judd Kendall of VFW Post 3873 and Belgio's Catering were left with hundreds of pounds of cod and potatoes and gallons of chili fixings. But those provisions did not go to waste. Volunteers from the Post accompanied Tim and Tom Belgio and their staff to surprise clients of West Suburban Community Pantry with hot meals as the families lined up to receive food boxes from the pantry.

Lynn Baralt of Baralt's Custom Landscapes presented on "Container Gardens: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" as part of Elmhurts Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Professional Speaker Seminar Series via Zoom video conferencing.

DuPage Childrens Museum Public Programs Manager Cassie Coffey recently held a story time via Facebook Live. Arts & Maker Specialist Dustin Thacker performed an original song, "Big Pig!" Since science and art are also core to the Museum's mission, DCM recently shared a short video about DIY Sidewalk Paint.

Aurora-area food pantry leaders detailed needs in "Feeding Aurora: A Conversation about Food Realities and Resources," an hourlong Wednesday webinar hosted by Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin on Facebook. From left top row are Julie Yurko, president and CEO, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Geneva; Rich and Linnea Forney, captains, Salvation Army Aurora Corps; and Cat Battista, executive director, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Aurora. From left bottom row are Diane Renner, executive director, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, Aurora; and Mayor Irvin. Al Benson photo