Food Pantries and Food Assistance

Below is a list of local and national food pantries and food assistance services available to Lake County residents. Please contact each organization directly for the most up-to-date hours and eligibility information.

COOL Ministries
Address: 800 W. Glen Flora Ave., Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 847-662-1230
Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00am–2:00pm
Services: Offers a monthly food box for those in need.

Feeding America Network
Address: 161 North Clark Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 1-800-771-2303
Eligibility: Individuals or households experiencing food insecurity — including low‑income families, seniors, children, people with disabilities, and others in crisis.

Hope Food Pantry
Address: 125 W. Church St., Libertyville, IL 60048
Phone: 847-362-2110
Hours: 2nd, 4th, and 5th Saturdays, 8:00–10:00am

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
Address: 2000 N. Lewis Ave., Waukegan, IL 60087
Phone: 800-843-6154
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm
Services: Provides residents with an Illinois Link card for food assistance.

Libertyville Township
Address: 359 Merrill Ct., Libertyville, IL 60048
Phone: 847-816-6800
Hours: Tuesdays, 10:00am–3:00pm
Services: Provides a three-day supply of meals for each household member.
Eligibility: Serves residents of Libertyville Township, including Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, North Chicago, Waukegan, Green Oaks, Libertyville, Mettawa, Mundelein, and Vernon Hills.

Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois
Address: 7222 Cermak Rd North Riverside, IL 60546
Phone: 312-207-5290
Services: Delivers nutritious meals and social connection to older adults and individuals with disabilities through home delivery, community cafés, and dining-out options.
Eligibility: Adults 60+ and their spouses, as well as eligible individuals with disabilities in qualifying areas, can receive Meals on Wheels services.

Moraine Township Food Pantry
Address: 800 Central Ave., Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 847-432-3240
Hours:

  • Tuesday: 10:00am–12:00pm
  • Wednesday: 1:30–3:30pm
  • Thursday: 11:30am–1:30pm

Eligibility: Serves income-qualified residents of Moraine Township (Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, and Deerfield).

Northern Illinois Food Bank
Services: Offers a searchable database of food pantries across Lake County and beyond. Use their Find Food tool to locate a pantry near you.

Our House of Hope Pantry
Address: 255 Commerce Dr., Unit A, Grayslake, IL 60030
Phone: 773-552-4673
Hours: Saturday, 9:00am–12:00pm
Services: Provides pet food for households with up to three pets.

UMMA (Urban Muslim Minority Alliance) Harvest Market
Address: 502 10th St., Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 224-480-4320
Hours:

  • Monday & Tuesday: 2:00–6:00pm
  • Wednesday (Senior Day): 10:00am–2:00pm
  • Friday: 10:00am–2:00pm

United Way of Lake County
Address: 330 S Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone: 211
United Way of Lake County unites people and resources to create lasting change, focusing on youth opportunity and community resiliency.

Warren Township Food Pantry
Address: 17801 W. Washington Ave., Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone: 847-244-1101 ext. 101
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm
Eligibility: Serves residents of Warren Township, including Beach Park, Grayslake, Gurnee, Lake Villa, Libertyville, Wadsworth, and Waukegan.

National Services

Food Finder
Services: Helps individuals and families find nearby food pantries by entering a ZIP code and viewing contact details, locations and hours on an interactive map.

No Kid Hungry
Services: Works with schools, community groups, and policymakers to make sure every child in Illinois has access to three nutritious meals a day and connected federal nutrition programs.