The Greater Chicago Food Depository responds to food insecurity in our community every single day. Anyone in need of food assistance can turn to the Food Depository’s network of agencies and programs. With some exceptions, their network of 700 partner agencies and programs remains open. These sites are modifying their distributions to promote social distancing, including offering pre-packaged boxes of groceries.

The Food Depository’s benefits outreach team is available by phone to help Chicagoans apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid benefits. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase groceries from local stores. Eligibility is determined by household income. Those affected by recent COVID-19 related job losses may qualify. For benefits outreach assistance, call 773-843-5416 Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. or apply directly with the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Chicago Public Schools are open Monday – Friday, 9am-1pm, to provide meals (breakfast and lunch). Every young person under 18 years old is eligible - no child will be turned away. Families will pick up the food outside the school building, weather permitting, at a table. They will receive 3 days of meal for each young person in the household. If families have trouble getting to a site, they call the contact number 1-773-553-KIDS or email at [email protected] to make a request for food delivery.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is another program supporting homebound seniors, and they are continuing to operate.

The Homelessness Food and Shelter Directory is another resource listing the Emergency Food Programs provided through Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas.

Several retailers have created dedicated shopping hours for seniors to shop for groceries without crowds of other people.
Retailers include:

Whole Foods: Customers age 60 and older can shop daily an hour before stores open to the general public. So, if a store opens at 9 a.m., for example, seniors have access at 8 a.m. 

Target: The first hour of shopping each Wednesday is reserved for the elderly and other vulnerable populations, such as those with compromised immune systems. 

Jewel-Osco: Senior shoppers are being given priority from 7-9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Mariano’s: The grocer has set aside two hours daily — 6 to 8 a.m. — for seniors and those with underlying health conditions. 
Walmart: Customers ages 60 and older can shop every Tuesday an hour before stores open. Walmart pharmacies and vision centers will also be open during this time. 
Tony’s Fresh Market: Senior priority shopping hours are in effect 7-9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
HarvesTime Foods (2632 W Lawrence): Senior and At-Risk shopping hours from 7-8:30 a.m. everyday.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, ensures that Americans receive the food they need, especially if they are newly unemployed. Congress has invested in SNAP in the last three bills to help Americans put food on the table during this crisis. In order to apply for SNAP in Illinois, click here. To learn more about emergency SNAP benefits, click here.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) provides access to nutritious foods to low-income pregnant women or mothers. To see if you are eligible for WIC benefits click here. To learn more about how to apply for WIC click here. To learn about WIC in Illinois, click here.

Click here to find out more about the U.S.D.A. Food & Nutrition Service's Response to COVID-19 and additional food programs or nutritional assistance that may be available to you during this crisis. Or to find food assistance near you, call the USDA National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY/1- 877-8-HAMBRE 

You can also visit the Illinois Department of Human Services Food Programs website for more information on the many programs we have in Illinois to help hungry people get food or call the IL DHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154.

Some food pantries on the north side of Chicago:

All of these food pantries are served by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Albany Park Food Pantry
3253 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 478-7941
Email: [email protected]
Food Pantry Hours: Wednesdays 9am-11am

Care for Real
5339-41 N Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 769-6182
Food Pantry Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Chicago Hope, Inc.
2505 N Kedzie Blvd
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 384-6800
Email: [email protected]
Website: armitagechurch.org
Food Pantry Hours: Monday: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm and Thursday: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Common Pantry
3744 N Damen
Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: (773) 327-0553
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.commonpantry.org
Food Pantry Hours: Wednesdays: 1:00-4:00pm & 6:00-8:00pm

  Cornerstone Community Outreach
4626 N Clifton
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 271-8163
Food Pantry Hours: Wednesday: 9:30-11:30AM
Homeless Shelter Hours: Daily: B: 8:00-9:00 am, L: 12:00-1:00 pm, D:4:30 -5:30 pm
Soup Kitchen Hours: Saturday: 1:30pm-3:30pm

Howard Area Community Center
7648 N Paulina
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 262-6622 x271
Email: howardarea.org
Website: www.howardareacommunitycenter.org
Food Pantry Hours: Monday: 9am-11am and Thur:3pm-5pm, Emergency: Tues and Wed:9am-3pm, Fri: 9am-1pm

Irving Park Community Food Pantry
3801 N. Keeler
Chicago, IL 60641
Phone: (773) 283-6296
Email: [email protected]
Website: irvingparkfoodpantry.org
Food Pantry Hours: Wed 9:00am-12:30pm. 2nd Tuesday:6pm-8pm

Lakeview Pantry - Sheridan
3945 N. Sheridan
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: (773) 525-1777 x14
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lakeviewpantry.org
Food Pantry Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 12:00-4:00pm

Lincoln Square Friendship Center
2733 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 907-6388
Food Pantry Hours: Thursday: 3:00pm-7:00pm

North Park Friendship Center
3448 West Foster
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 267-8395
Email:  [email protected]
Food Pantry Hours: Mon: 1:30-5:00PM, Wed:10:00-12:00PM & 1:00-5:30, Fri: 1:00-5:30PM

North Shore SDA Church
5220 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 561-0282 / 761-0733
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.northshoreadventist.org
Food Pantry Hours: Sunday: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Northwest Church of Christ
4602 N. Kilbourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: (773) 283-2586
Email: [email protected]
Food Pantry Hours: Sundays: 2pm-4pm

The Preston Bradley Center
941 W. Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 784-6633
Soup Kitchen Hours: Monday,Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 11:30-1:30pm

Ravenswood Community Services
1757 W. Wilson
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 769-0282
Food Pantry Hours: Tuesdays: 5:30-7:30pm
Soup Kitchen Hours: Tuesdays: 5:30-7:30pm

St. Thomas of Canterbury
4827 N. Kenmore
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 878-5507
Hours: Tues 9:30a.m.-12 p.m., 2nd & 4th: Fri. 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement
4850 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 383-0276
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Sat: 10:00-12:00 p.m.

TSA: Evangeline Booth Lodge
800 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: 773-433-5718
Homeless Shelter Hours: M-F: B:7-8:00am, B:Sat-Sun: 7:30-8:30am,Daily: L:11:30-12:30pm. D: Daily:5:-6 pm

United Church Of Rogers Park
1545 West Morse Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: (773) 761-2500 x10
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Sun: 4-6pm

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