We distribute bagged groceries to families in need. The Evanston Vineyard Food Pantry (previously "The Harvest") opened in January 2005 serving 3-5 families a week. Our ministry has grown and we now serve 250 families each week. The Evanston Vineyard Food Pantry serves anyone who needs to make ends meet.
- Patrons are welcome to come twice a month per household/same address.
- Patrons are allowed one visit per household per date.
- Patrons are required to provide only their name and address for our data base and to receive food. (This is a requirement of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, of which The Evanston Vineyard Food Pantry is a member agency. This info is not shared in other way and is solely used for a patron to receive food.)
- Patrons must sign-in at each visit to receive food.
- Patrons can expect to receive pre-bagged nonperishable staple items as well as selecting some other items (such items may include meat, produce, bread and dairy).
- IDs are required for patrons and for proxy pick-ups (see note)
ID Policy
Photo ID with address (address must be current within 30 days). If patron forgets photo ID & is already registered in the database, a utility bill or other non-photo documentation will be accepted one time. A note will be made in database & patron will be turned away next time this happens.
Number Distribution System
- When our doors open and patrons file in, a random number will be selected from a bag. This means there is no need to come early and wait, and no standing in line for hours prior to opening.
- If you are first in the door it does NOT guarantee you will be the first to be served.
The food pantry is open every Wednesday from 6PM to 8PM and is part of the Evanston Vineyard Care Center.
For more information call 847-328-4544
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call ext to book your appointment.
Address :
2495 Howard St,
Evanston, IL 60202.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM CST
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Cook
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call ext to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
- Addison
- Alsip
- Arlington Heights
- Barrington
- Bartlett
- Bellwood
- Bensenville
- Berkeley
- Berwyn
- Bloomingdale
- Blue Island
- Bridgeview
- Broadview
- Brookfield
- Buffalo Grove
- Burbank
- Carol Stream
- Carpentersville
- Cary
- Chicago
- Chicago Ridge
- Cicero
- Clarendon Hills
- Darien
- Deerfield
- Des Plaines
- Dolton
- Downers Grove
- Elgin
- Elk Grove Village
- Elmhurst
- Elmwood Park
- Evanston
- Evergreen Park
- Forest Park
- Franklin Park
- Glen Ellyn
- Glencoe
- Glendale Heights
- Glenview
- Grayslake
- Gurnee
- Hanover Park
- Harvey
- Harwood Heights
- Hickory Hills
- Highland Park
- Highwood
- Hillside
- Hinsdale
- Hoffman Estates
- Island Lake
- Itasca
- Justice
- La Grange
- La Grange Park
- Lake Bluff
- Lake Forest
- Lake Villa
- Lake Zurich
- Lemont
- Libertyville
- Lincolnshire
- Lincolnwood
- Lisle
- Lombard
- Lyons
- Maywood
- Melrose Park
- Midlothian
- Morton Grove
- Mount Prospect
- Mundelein
- Niles
- North Chicago
- Northbrook
- Oak Brook
- Oak Forest
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- Palatine
- Palos Heights
- Palos Hills
- Park Ridge
- Posen
- Prospect Heights
- River Forest
- River Grove
- Riverdale
- Riverside
- Robbins
- Rolling Meadows
- Roselle
- Round Lake
- Schaumburg
- Schiller Park
- Skokie
- Streamwood
- Vernon Hills
- Villa Park
- Warrenville
- Wauconda
- Waukegan
- West Chicago
- Westchester
- Western Springs
- Westmont
- Wheaton
- Wheeling
- Willow Springs
- Willowbrook
- Wilmette
- Winfield
- Winnetka
- Winthrop Harbor
- Wood Dale
- Woodridge
- Worth
- Zion
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.