Spinach, kale, arugula, and fresh herbs are heading from Naper Settlement's Gold Star Victory Gardens to the tables of families served by Loaves & Fishes Community Services.

Naper Settlement's Education Team announced Monday, June 15, that it has begun harvesting produce from the raised garden beds on its 13-acre museum campus. All of it goes to Loaves & Fishes, which describes itself as the largest food pantry in Illinois and serves roughly 10,000 people each week through sites including a Grocery Market in Naperville.

Each raised bed in the Gold Star Victory Gardens is dedicated to a local fallen military member or first responder and their Gold Star family. The gardens are organized by OLI Gardens, a Naperville-based nonprofit, and were first dedicated at Naper Settlement on Gold Star Mother's Day in September 2021. As of a 2024 Chicago Tribune report, 12 fallen heroes were honored by name, including Army Pfc. Gunnar Hotchkin of Naperville, who was killed in Afghanistan in June 2010.

Christine Hotchkin, Gunnar's mother and now chair of OLI Gardens' Board of Directors, has described the living memorial as "so much more than just a name on a wall."

The concept draws on the tradition of World War II Victory Gardens. OLI Gardens co-founder Fred Greenwood has said the beds mean fallen heroes "are continuing to support people that are food insecure, even though they aren't here."

The donation comes as food insecurity in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties has risen more than 50 percent since 2019, according to Loaves & Fishes' April 2026 campaign materials. The pantry launched a $15 million "Nourish Together" campaign that month to expand its capacity.

"Thank you so very much for this beautiful donation!," Loaves & Fishes posted on X.

The Gold Star Victory Gardens are visible to visitors on Naper Settlement's campus, open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.