In this post, we’ve selected and featured 14 food pantries in Cook County, IL. Scroll down to learn about them.
1. Nourishing Hope – Sheridan Market
Nourishing Hope is one of the largest and longest-operating food pantries in the Chicago area. Families can expect from 50 to 100 lbs of food per month, and this includes dairy, eggs, milk, fresh produce, frozen meat, canned goods, dry goods, and more.
The Sheridan Market location is open from 11 am to 3 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and from 4 pm to 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Nourishing Hope serves Chicago residents whose incomes are below certain guidelines, but you don’t need to bring proof of income.
Learn how to donate, volunteer, or contact Nourishing Hope today.
2. Marillac House Food Pantry
Located on Jackson Blvd, Chicago, the Marillac House Food Pantry strives to empower families and communities within the Chicago and Cook Country areas. The food pantry services here are open Wednesdays and Fridays, and you can find a range of fresh and canned goods.
People living within local zip codes can visit once per month, and those in different zip codes can visit once before receiving a referral for services closer to home. The Jackson Blvd branch service zip codes 60612, 60624, and 60644.
You can donate, volunteer, and contact Marillac House Food Pantry now.
3. Bloom Township Food Pantry
The Bloom Township Food Pantry is a Chicago Heights operation that’s here to ensure all residents can access monthly food and commodity packages. Food options here include breakfast foods, vegetables, pasta, tinned fruits, frozen meat, fresh fruit, snacks, bread, juices, and more.
Bloom Township Food Pantry’s distribution hours are 3 pm to 7 pm on Mondays and 10 am to 2 pm on Wednesdays. Recipients must bring proof of address (e.g., utility bill) and a government-issued ID to access a food parcel.
Find out more about the Bloom Township Food Pantry here.
4. Irving Park Community Food Pantry
Based on N. Ridgeway Avenue, the Irving Park Community Food Pantry is here to serve the Northwest Chicago community. This team provides consistent and caring services to eliminate hunger and raise awareness of food insecurity. The food pantry is open every Wednesday from 9 am to 12 pm and every second Tuesday from 6 pm to 7 pm.
Here, you can find fresh vegetables, dry food, and frozen meat. Pet food is also available if required. The Irving Park Community Food Pantry also gives out special holiday-related dinner ingredients near Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You can find out how to donate, volunteer, and contact the Irving Park Community Food Pantry online.
5. New Hope Community Food Pantry
Since 2004, the Jefferson Park, Chicago-based New Hope Community Food Pantry has helped over 110,000 Cook County residents, and they plan to keep serving their community. Locals can access emergency food supplies (five to seven days of food), recipes, and general healthcare services. Foods available here include fresh fruit and vegetables, dry food, and much more.
The New Hope Community Food Pantry is open each Tuesday from 9:30 am until 11:30 am. Local residents must bring ID cards and proof of address documents if it’s their first time at the pantry.
You can donate, volunteer, or contact the New Hope Community Food Pantry today.
6. St. Vincent DePaul Parish Food Pantry
If you’re looking for a food pantry in Sheffield Heights, Chicago, consider the St. Vincent DePaul Parish Food Pantry. This organization has been distributing food since 1980, and they have the capacity to provide food parcels and serve hot meals from their sandwich kitchen. You can also pick up hygiene kits and winter clothing from this organization.
This pantry is available four days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday). Kitchen meals and food pick-up are available from 8 am to 9:30 am. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age to get involved.
You can donate or volunteer with the St. Vincent DePaul Parish Food Pantry today.
7. The Friendship Center Food Pantry
The Friendship Center Food Pantry provides food and vital resources to the northwest side of Chicago. From fresh fruit and veggies to meat, fish, and dairy, this food pantry is open four days a week to ensure locals can access a range of foods. Bread, dry food, and other groceries are also available.
You can pick up groceries on Monday (12 to 4pm), Tuesday (3 to 7 pm), Thursday (12 to 4 pm), and Friday (12 to 4 pm). Hot meals are available to go from 6 to 8 pm on Thursdays. Residents need to bring a valid ID and proof of address.
The Friendship Center Food Pantry accepts donations, and you can volunteer or contact them today.
8. Common Pantry
Situated in St. Ben’s, Chicago, Common Pantry helps to distribute food to the local community on Wednesdays (1 to 4 pm and again from 6 to 8 pm) and on Thursdays (1 to 4 pm). You can also visit on produce day, which is the 3rd Monday of each month at 10 to 12 pm.
Common Pantry has donated over 56,000 lbs of food, and this includes groceries, fresh produce, dry foods, and more. Free hot meals are also available. Residents can visit the pantry once per month. A valid local ID and proof of address are needed.
Donate to Common Pantry, volunteer, or contact the organization here.
9. Pilsen Food Pantry
Pilsen Food Pantry is here to improve local health and social outcomes of Chicago’s Lower West Side through food pantry packages and other charitable services. Food pantry services are for the zip codes 60607, 60608, 60609, and 60612, but anyone in need can claim a package. Available foods include meat, dairy, vegetables, eggs, fish, and non-perishable foods.
Alongside food, you can also claim household and hygiene supplies such as toothpaste, light bulbs, and menstrual supplies. Clients can visit every two weeks with a photo ID. The food pantry is open every Monday to Friday.
Contact the Pilsen Food Pantry today, or donate and volunteer here.
10. Share Food Share Love Food Pantry
The Share Food Share Love Food Pantry provides food assistance to Brookfield residents in 15 villages on the western side of Cook County. From fresh vegetables to dry foods, a range of ingredients are available from this pantry.
You can visit this Cook County food pantry on Tuesday evenings (7 pm to 9 pm) or Saturday mornings (10 am to 12 pm). This food pantry doesn’t require ID or proof of address, but clients must register on their first visit.
Contact the team today, or find out how to volunteer and donate online.
11. West Deerfield Township Food Pantry
Located on the northern Cook County border in Deerfield, the West Deerfield Township Food Pantry provides essential food, non-perishable snacks, and household cleaning supplies to residents in need. This branch serves residents from Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Highland Park, and Lake Forest.
If available, this food pantry also provides grocery store gift cards to help clients choose their own ingredients. The food pantry allows pick-ups twice a month. School-aged children can also request clothing, supplies, shoes, school supplies, and new haircuts.
Learn more about the food pantry here or donate here.
12. Operation Blessing of Southwest Chicagoland
If you’re looking for a food pantry in the Alsip area, explore Operation Blessing of Southwest Chicagoland. This food pantry is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to noon and 12 pm to 3 pm on Wednesdays. At this organization, you can pick up fresh food parcels, dry food, and canned goods.
Alongside providing food pantry resources, this Alsip-based organization provides food deliveries and seasonal treats during the Easter and Christmas months. Winter clothes (gloves, coats, and hats) are also available in the winter months.
Contact the organization or donate online today.
13. Schaumburg Township Food Pantry
The Schaumburg Township Food Pantry serves the northwest Schaumburg Cook County area. You’ll find this food pantry open from Monday to Friday, ensuring there’s always a moment to pop in and help or access food. This pantry is usually stocked with canned food, soup, snacks, juice, baking ingredients, and hygiene products.
Clients must bring a recent piece of mail as proof of residency. This is needed for every appointment. Clients can choose their own food at this pantry, which is perfect if you want a say in your groceries.
Donate to the food pantry here, learn about volunteering, or contact them today.
14. Self-Help Closet & Food Pantry of Des Plaines
For a food pantry in the Des Plaines area, check out the Self-Help Closet & Food Pantry of Des Plaines. This pantry has been active in the community since 1971, and it still offers food and winter clothing to residents today. Groceries here include canned foods, coffee, fruit, condiments, baking ingredients, and more.
Clothing and personal supplies are also available at this pantry, such as baby diapers, winter clothes, and cleaning products. This pantry is open on Tuesdays (12:30 pm to 3 pm) and Saturdays (9:30 am to 12 pm).
Volunteer with the organization, donate, or contact them today.
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