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Food banks, soup kitchens, and free food pantries in Illinois
Food banks and free food pantries that are located across Illinois help residents who are struggling to afford groceries or meals. These distribution centers, with links to county and regional information below, pass out free food, including but not limited too canned goods, fresh produce or dairy items, and even basic household staples. Some locations, such as a pantry, distribute food directly to individuals while others, such as a food bank, operate as regional warehouses that supply other organizations that then pass out the groceries to people in need.
In addition to the programs from a local food pantry, soup kitchens and community meal sites that are located across Illinois are options as they serve prepared meals at no cost. Food pantries typically allow households to take groceries home and may require basic income or residency information as most focus on local areas. Availability of what may or may not be available, eligibility, and distribution schedules vary by location. Many soup kitchens and pantries operate on set days or hours and are open to anyone facing food insecurity
Illinois is also served by a statewide network of regional food banks that work with hundreds of local pantries and meal programs. Many of the locations listed on this page receive shelf-stable food or other support through the Feeding America network and those items are then given out to people in need.
Many food pantries in Illinois offer more than groceries. Some locations provide referrals or on-site assistance in applying for public benefit programs, including SNAP. Others coordinate with senior nutrition programs, home-delivered meal services, or disability support agencies. Select pantries also distribute specialty items when available, such as infant formula, low-sodium food, or pet food. Availability varies by site and county.
Local food pantries and soup kitchens in IL
The links to county and city listings below provide addresses, phone numbers, and service details for food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs across Illinois. Each listing may include information on hours, eligibility guidelines, and the type of food or meals offered. Because services are local, availability and requirements can differ significantly. Residents are encouraged to contact individual locations directly to confirm distribution schedules and documentation needs.
Champaign County
Chicago and Cook County
DeKalb County
DuPage County
Franklin County
Kankakee County
Lake County
Macon County
Madison County
McHenry County
McLean County
Rock Island County
Sangamon County
Tazewell County
Vermilion and Iroquois County
Will County
Winnebago County
In addition to the county resources above and regional food banks listed below, the Illinois Feeding America association is a great resource. They can help anyone facing hunger, whether the homeless or people facing a crisis in the state, get help in their area. Learn more on Feeding America in IL using their food locator link https://www.feedingillinois.org/food-resources-illinois. There is also a toll free referral services. Try the Illinois Hunger Coalition Prevention Hotline, a free statewide resource.
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has a website as well that provides information. The Food Connections program (website: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31245) is a tool to find a local place for free food, benefits such as SNAP intake or Meals on Wheels as well as other resources. There are many other public food assistance programs in Illinois that may help people.
Greater Chicago Food Depository is that largest Feeding America location in the state. is the primary regional food bank serving greater Chicago and Cook County. The organization supplies food to hundreds of local pantries, soup kitchens, mobile food distribution centers, and community programs throughout the area. Services include grocery distribution, mobile food pantries, and outreach to help households apply for SNAP and other nutrition programs.
- The Feeding America Food Bank in Chicago also has Meals on Wheels and holiday boxes, in partnership with charities, churches and small local food banks in the city. Or get the Nutrition Education program, information on using coupons or unit pricing to shop, cooking classes and more. The main site is at 4100 West Ann Lurie Place, Chicago, IL 60632. Call 773.247.3663.
 Central Illinois Foodbank address is 1937 E. Cook St., Springfield, IL 62703, Call 217-522-4022. They work with local charities and food pantries, and the service area is is Adams, Bond, Brown, Cass, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, and Marion County. They also provide free groceries, Health and Nution workshop, pet food and more in Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, and Shelby counties.
Eastern Illinois Foodbank covers the counties of Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Jasper, Moultrie, Piatt, and Vermilion counties. The center partners with churches, senior centers, and pantries. Hot meals, canned goods, and more are distributed. The main site is at 2405 North Shore Drive, Urbana, IL 61802-7221.
- Clients of the Eastern IL Feeding America food bank include single moms and the working poor. Children and elderly, or single moms looking for baby formula can get referrals too. Or learn about free, emergency mobile food pantries that are open daily. Call (217) 328-3663.
Northern Illinois Food Bank location is 273 Dearborn Ct, Geneva, IL 60134. Phone number - (630) 443-6910. The service area includes: Boone, Dekalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago counties. They have groceries, have cooking and wellness classes, and educational services.
- The Food Banks also has special, free food or groceries for the nutritional needs of kids or low-income senior citizens. Or Summer Meal programs, emergency food pantries open today and daily, and other resources are offered.
River Bend Foodbank provides free food programs to several counties, including Bureau, Carroll, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jo Davies, and Knox. The center also helps people in LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Warren, and Whiteside counties. The main address is 4010 Kimmel Drive, Davenport, IA 52802. Call 563-345-6490. Get access to a Kids Cafe, Mobile or School pantries, nutrition education, or health management and so much more.
Tri-State Food Bank, while based in IN, assists parts of Illinois. There is help for people in Alexander, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, and White County. There are of course food pantries and soup kitchens or apply for programs including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, food stamps and others. The address is 2504 Lynch Road, Evansville, IN 47711. Call 812-425-0775.
St. Louis Area Foodbank is another multi-state Feeding America food bank - pantry program. Many services are offered, including USDA commodities for seniors and the elderly, including milk, eggs, cheese, bread and more as part of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. There are free snacks and backpack programs for kids that are full of groceries. Or get baby formula, ensure for the elderly and more.
- Several IL counties are assisted, including Calhoun, Clinton, Franklin, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington, and Williamson County. The main address is 70 Corporate Woods Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Call 314-292-6262.
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