🍏 These organizations partner with local pantries and provide broad food assistance throughout Illinois:

Greater Chicago Food Depository – Major hub for food pantries, meal programs, and free food distribution in Chicago and Cook County.

Northern Illinois Food Bank – Serves 13 counties with pantry partners and distribution programs.

Central Illinois Foodbank – Provides food for partner pantries in Central Illinois.

Eastern Illinois Foodbank – Distributes food to affiliated pantries across eastern Illinois.

Midwest Food Bank - Bloomington/Normal Division and Midwest Food Bank – Regional food bank networks offering groceries and food boxes.

🥫 Local Food Pantry Locations (Examples)
These pantries often provide free groceries or food boxes for individuals and families in need:

Saint Sylvester's Food Pantry – Food pantry in Chicago (contact to check schedule/eligibility). St Sylvester Parish 2915 W Palmer St, Chicago, IL 60647; Phone Number: 773-235-3646. Pantry/grocery distribution.

Harvest New Beginnings Church - Food Pantry – Offers food assistance in Oswego, IL.

Penny Pantry – Community pantry location in Chicago.

Zach’s Pantry – Smaller pantry resource in Chicago.

📌 How to Find More Pantries Nearby

Since pantry hours and locations vary widely, Illinois offers online tools to find the most current open food assistance sites:

🔎 Find Food IL Map – Official food assistance map where you can enter your zip code to view nearby food pantries, free meals, and distribution points.

🌐 FoodFinder – Enter your zip code to locate food pantries near you, with details like hours and food types.

📍 Feeding America Food Bank Locator – Search by ZIP to find Feeding America-partner food banks and their pantry partners across Illinois.

🧑‍🌾 Additional Assistance Programs

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) – Provides free food through local pantries and shelters across Illinois; eligibility is typically based on income.

SNAP/Link Benefits – For longer-term food support via federal food assistance; local pantries often help with applications.