Church campers make sandwiches for Aurora pantry

A downtown Aurora free pantry gained 165 sandwiches Thursday, July 13.

Volunteers at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora assembled the sandwiches to conclude a second annual Art and Soul summer camp from July 10-13.

Congregants donated bread, ham, cheese and other contents for sandwiches.

Receiving sandwiches was the Community Fridge Project, a free, public pantry located outside Endiro Coffee in downtown Aurora.

Indivisible Aurora, a nonprofit, sponsors the fridge. "Take what you need, leave what you can" is the project's motto.

About 40 neighborhood children ages 4-12 attended Wesley's free, evening family camp that featured art, culinary and physical-exercise activities led by 25 volunteers.

Partners with Wesley were Simply Destinee dance center, the Perch and Citizen Arts, community groups.

Michelle Curiel, camp coordinator and Wesley children and family director, said camp attendance doubled from last year.

Curiel said, "We created a week that would explore ways children can take care of their emotions, be in charge of their own bodies and celebrate the gifts that they are."