Table of Contents
Navigate through this resource
Food pantries, groceries and soup kitchens Chicago and Cook County.
Food Assistance and Food Banks
Chicago and Cook County is supported by many free food banks, soup kitchens as well as pantries, many that are open today. There are free groceries as well as meals served by churches or charities. The food distribution centers help low income families and people with no money with groceries and hygiene supplies for their family.
Food Assistance and Food Banks
Find a free food bank or pantry near you in Cook County IL.
Programs for Seniors and Elderly
People in need, including seniors and single moms among others, will get a free emergency box of groceries, holiday food baskets, or even free pet food. Many of the distribution centers near you also have applications to EBT cards in Chicago, Meals on Wheels for disabled people or adults, and free personal toiletries.
Find information below, as well as a referral number at the bottom of the page for other Cook County IL free food assistance programs.
Food Assistance and Food Banks
It is possible to get help daily from a place near you. As there are dozens of local pantries, churches, drive thru food banks as well as soup kitchens. Some of what can be available includes dairy products, meats, vegetables, personal hygiene supplies, baby formula, free holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas meals) and canned goods.
The focus is placed on assisting children, seniors and older adults and the unemployed, however anyone can stop by. Many sites also work with the leading organization in the region, the Greater Chicago Food Depository . Some of the other programs offered in the region include the following.
Kids Cafe can serve students and children meals and food during their summer breaks, holidays, or on the weekends. This allows low income families in Cook County Illinois to feed their children when school is out of session. Older adult Choice Markets can provide the elderly with vegetables, fresh fruit, salt free and nonperishable, shelf stable food.
Free pet food pantries also have cat and dog kibble for low-income families in Chicago IL. Locate places that giveaway free pet food Meals on Wheels for the elderly or homebound. Many locations either can offer social services , or refer clients to government programs such as SNAP Food Stamps, WIC, or USDA meals.
Where to get free food and meals in Chicago IL area: Celestial Church of Christ - Ancient of Days Cathedral Chicago - Chicago Community Ministry Address: 6525 N Clark St., Chicago IL 60626. Phone (773) 761-6688 or (773) 419-7727 The pantry services those in the boundaries of Lake - Ridge; Devon – Howard.
Catholic Charity churches in Chicago area: Dozens of churches are part of Catholic Charities. They help the poor. Whether furniture, pots or pans, food, hot meals, clothes, or even information on shopping for groceries, help is offered.
They assist with employment and winter coats. But a free food pantry and soup kitchen also feeds the homeless, single moms, and unemployed among others. A big service is on helping immigrants and Latinos too.
More on food help from Catholic Charities Cook County Howard Area Community Center 7648 N Paulina St, Chicago IL 60626. Dial (773) 262-6622 Serves residents of zip codes of 60626 and 60645. Various social services are offered, including emergency food boxes, groceries, meals, and information on public aid such as food stamps.
A Just Harvest food pantry and Soup Kitchen 7649 N Paulina St, Chicago Illinois 60626. Call (773) 262-2297
Food Assistance and Food Banks
There are free meals for the homeless as well as a free food bank. There is cereal, soup, bread, and other items including shelf stable items, bakery goods, fresh produce, and meat. St Ignatius Church 6559 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL. Call 773-764-5936 Vineyard Christian Church Evanston: Address: 2495 W Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202.
Main phone: (847) 328-4544 A year round pantry is on site. There are also free holiday meals,. including Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas food baskets and more. Saint Teresa of Ávila Church: Address: 1950 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60614. Main Phone: (773) 528-6650 Chicago Dream Center: Main Address: 1636 N California Ave # 2, Chicago, IL 60647.
Call (773) 384-2200: Based on resources, the charity has boxes of groceries for people in Cook County. There is also pre-packaged breakfast, lunch and dinner meals for children, the elderly and families. They also help people appl,y for SNAP benefits.
St. Aloysius Catholic Church: Address: 2300 W Le Moyne St, Chicago, IL 60622. Phone: (773) 278-4808 United Church of Rogers Park 1545 W Morse Ave, Chicago IL 60626. Phone - (773) 761-2500 The free food pantry has limited hours. Get food for households living in underserved areas of the community. The distribution center has meats, breads, fresh fruit and vegetables, and non-perishable foods.
Warren Park Produce Program Formerly Rogers Park PM 6601 N Western Ave, Chicago IL 60645. Call (773) 987-7700 Provides food, produce, and perishable items to all of Cook County. People (seniors or the homebound) in the immediate area can sign up for Meals on Wheels too. There will be lettuce, apples, tomatoes and other free fruits and vegetables.
New Hope United Methodist food pantry: Location is 6125 W. Foster Ave Chicago, IL 60630. Phone: (773) 775-1215: Zip Codes served are 60631, 60646, 60630 and 60656. Saint Vincent Center Food Pantry: A variety of social services are offered Most of it is for basic needs, such as food, breakfast for the homeless, or snacks for kids.
Get free groceries, peanut butter or jelly, rice, baby formula and more. However some limited rent or utility bill funds may be offered from time to time. Also learn where and how to apply for government aid such as SNAP food stamps from this charity organization. There will also be free paper products from the pantry, such as toilet paper or napkins.
More St. Vincent Chicago assistance 2145 N Halsted St., Chicago IL 60614. Call (312) 943-6776 Another location is at 1010 W Webster Ave., Chicago IL 60614, dial (773) 325-8610.
Employment and Job Training
Saint Vincent De Paul District IX Food Pantry is at 5533 S Sawyer Ave, Chicago IL 60629. Call (773) 436-2558. This charity serves those between boundaries: N: 59th St - S: 51st St; W: Rockwell Ave - E: St. Louis Ave. Like most St. Vincent sites, the location has a variety of programs.
They may include food, clothing, free dog or pet food, Other aid, while limited, can be financial assistance, vouchers for grocery shopping, and job training type resources. May have details on programs such as USDA meals or government commodities.
Food Assistance and Food Banks
St. Elizabeth Church SVDP - 44 E 41st St, Chicago, IL 60653. Phone: (773) 642-6532. Social services are offered by Saint Vincent. A thrift store, clothing closet, and food bank may be available, as this is part of the nation’s leading charity organization. Some funds may be offered for basic needs..
Government Benefits and Social Services
Christ Our Light, Saint Vincent Food Pantry is another option. The location is 13145 S Houston Ave. Chicago IL 60633. Call (773) 646-4877 for intake. Items offered include free and guidance on public and Cook County Illinois assistance programs.
They also help feed the homeless in Cook County. \Feeding America is a resource too. They arrange additional assistance for food, free meals, and hunger prevention in Cook County. There are government resources (such as SNAP food stamps or WIC for baby formula), USDA programs, and more.
To find additional free food pantries near you in the Cook County or Chicago Illinois region, dial 773.247.3663. Or learn about: Feeding America - Chicago depository , free school breakfast or lunches for students. A number of other churches, charities, and non-profits distribute meals, groceries, holiday assistance, and free food to the needy.
St. Philomena Church: Primary address is 1921 N Kedvale Ave, Chicago, IL 60639. Phone: (773) 772-9401: Hot meals, a feeding site, and perishable food items as well as canned groceries may be passed out to senior citizens and the working poor. The Chicago church also has free holiday meals, clothes for the homeless and basic needs.
FaithWorld International Church 6115 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639. Call (773) 489-7601 New Life Bilingual Church: Address: 468 Ann St, West Chicago, IL 60185. For hours, dial (630) 231-3315 Free food for Spanish speakers, immigrants and those in need. Or get referrals and other support. Hillside Church 2727 Crawford Avenue Evanston, IL 60201.
Call 847-328-7182 Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement: A free Food Distribution Center is at 4850 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. Phone: (773) 317-7710 Care and Share Food Pantry: Address - 4520 W Washington Blvd, Chicago 60624. Call (773) 626-1972: A free client choice pantry for Chicago IL families that is open today.
Get Peanut Butter & Jelly, canned beans, rice, bread, and even possible low-sugar or gluten free food. United Baptist Church 4220 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago IL 60624. (773) 722-4357
Food Assistance and Food Banks
The food banks is for 60623 and 60624 zip codes are supported. Programs include Summer Food Service Program, USDA commodities, and free groceries. There is also Summer meals. Saint John Lutheran Church Our Lady of Victory: Main address: 4939 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60641. Telephone: (312) 402-0005: First Presbyterian Church: Address: 1427 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201.
Phone: (847) 864-1472 The pantry has stuff such as dried beans and fruit; spaghetti and sauce; vegetable soup. Nourishing Hope - Sheridan Market: Address: 3945 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60613. Phone: (773) 525-1777 The goal is to alleviate as many barriers to good nutrition as possible. Free groceries, dairy, meat and cooking as well as shopping classes.
Wellness is a focus. Niles Township - Food Pa
Ready to Get Help?
Take the next step and visit the official resource page to learn more and apply for assistance.