A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Joliet, Illinois distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.
There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.
Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.
Salvation Army Food Pantry
The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.
The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around Joliet, Illinois from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.
We have located 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Joliet, Illinois which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Joliet Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Food Pantry
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Pathway of Hope
- Seasonal Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Spanish
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (815) 726-4834 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 3rd Ave,
Joliet, IL 60433.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Joliet, Illinois have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Churches operate with food donations gathered and deliver to the food pantry nearest you by individuals using food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to elderly who are unable to drive to a nearest community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
We have located 4 Church Food Pantry locations in Joliet, Illinois which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Judson Church - Soul Food Pantry
Judson holds a food pantry on the first and third Monday of EVERY month. It begins at 4:30 pm and ends at 6:00 pm. We pass our numbers randomly, so there is no need to form a line. We desire to serve those who are in need, so we do not require any proof of income or residency. We simply ask you to fill out our short form for our records.
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 (815) 725-6835 to book your appointment.
Address :
2800 Black Rd,
Joliet, IL 60435.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry
St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry (SJLCFP) has been a first responder to food insecurity in Will County, IL since 1982. In 2011, SJLCFP became a partner agency of the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) which gives us the ability to purchase food at significantly low prices. In 2012, we became an Emergency Food Pantry contracted with the State of Illinois. Our pantry is run 100% by St. John Lutheran Church members and community volunteers. We serve approximately 350+ families/1250+ people each month. Clients are welcome to visit our pantry once every thirty days. We distribute approximately 20,000 lbs. of food per month. Congregational donations make it possible to purchase food from NIFB twice a month. We are in need of corporate and foundational donations to keep our program going. We have established partnerships with the Jewel-Osco at Route 59 and Caton Farm Road in Plainfield, IL and rely on our volunteers to pick up these food donations. We strive to ensure our clients receive enough shelf stable, fresh, and healthy food to last 4-7 days.
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 (815) 439-2320 to book your appointment.
Address :
2650 Plainfield Rd,
Joliet, IL 60435.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
St. Patrick Church Food Pantry
Each week we distribute about 18 large tote bags of groceries to feed the families who depend on our food pantry.
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 (815) 727-4746 to book your appointment.
Address :
710 W Marion St,
Joliet, IL 60436.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Second Baptist Church - The Blessing Table Ministry
This ministry serves the hungry and tries to provide many of the needs of the community every Thursday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. This ministry serves the physical as well as the spiritual needs of the less fortunate. Ministry dates: Every Thursday, except the month of August. Time: 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm
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 (815) 726-3731 to book your appointment.
Address :
156 S Joliet St,
Joliet, IL 60436.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by the Catholic Charity organization focus on addressing food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charity centers for help.
Catholic Charities in Joliet, Illinois are open to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. The centers operate during normal business hours, and provide walk-ins with groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal.
The food pantries are like grocery stores, allow clients the ability to choose the items they need from the groceries that are available on site.
First-time clients of the food pantry will need to apply, and this is done from a one-page application. An applicant will need to provide basic household member as well as demographic information.
We have located 0 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Joliet, Illinois which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Joliet, Illinois almost entirely by volunteers.
It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
We have located 0 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Joliet, Illinois which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around Joliet, Illinois in need during large-scale one-day distributions.
A typical mobile pantry serves 200-250 families distributing up to 10,000 pounds of food. This past year over 6.6 million pounds were distributed through this program.
Mobile food pantries usually visit churches, community centers, schools, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. They usually go to areas where there aren't grocery stores or other food pantries.
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2024
Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.
Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.
We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in Joliet, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around Joliet, Illinois much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.
It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.
We have located 0 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Joliet, Illinois which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Joliet, Illinois area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.
Food Pantry
We have located 6 Food Pantry locations in Joliet, Illinois which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Blessing Bench Food Pantry
The Blessing Bench Food Pantry serves qualifying persons who are food insecure, living within our designated service area, with supplemental groceries. The pantry is an agency of the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The pantry is an outreach ministry of the First and Santa Cruz Lutheran Church, an urban parish in the heart of Joliet. Established in 1998, the pantry began on a spare church bench from which surplus non-perishable food products were distributed. As time passed, distribution grew from canned goods and boxed foods to include frozen meat, fresh dairy and vegetables. Today, we serve an average of 70 families on distribution days. We receive donations from The Northern Illinois Food Bank as well as partner affiliates. Affiliates include congregations, schools, service clubs, farmers, individual families and businesses. As our program expands, we look forward to partnering with other community agencies so that we may educate area residents about other health and wellness resources available to them. Hours: Select Wednesdays & Saturdays from 2:00 – 4:00pm
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 (815) 722-4800 to book your appointment.
Address :
55 W Benton St,
Joliet, IL 60432.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Morningstar Mission Ministries, Inc. - East Side Cafe
Each year, we serve an ever-increasing number of meals to the homeless and near homeless in the Joliet community at our East Side Café. We serve three meals a day and two meals on Sunday.
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 (815) 722-5780 to book your appointment.
Address :
350 E Washington St,
Joliet, IL 60433.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
CTC Hope Food Pantry
CTC Hope Food Pantry is open every 1st and 3rd Monday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. If you are in need of food, please stop by and visit our pantry during these business hours. The Pantry is on a first come-first served basis. All that is needed is a picture ID to obtain food.
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 (815) 722-3505 to book your appointment.
Address :
212 Richards St,
Joliet, IL 60433.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Spanish Community Center - Food Pantry
Food pantry available for Joliet residents in need.
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 (815) 727-3683 to book your appointment.
Address :
309 N Eastern Ave,
Joliet, IL 60432.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Warren-Sharpe Community Center
Warren-Sharpe Community Center is a nonprofit, community-based organization offering social service programs and assistance to low-income, at-risk families on the south side of Joliet. The Center has a special commitment to serving youth, and engages in several innovative programs targeting at-risk pre-school students, grade school students and teens, as well as youth involved in the juvenile justice system. You may visit the food pantry once per month. Please bring your ID or other document showing your address in Will County. Please bring your own bags or boxes to pack up your food. The Food Pantry is open on the following days: Tuesdays, 11:00am - 2:00pm, Thursdays, 11:00am - 2:00pm, Fridays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
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 (815) 722-2727 to book your appointment.
Address :
454 S Joliet St,
Joliet, IL 60436.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Greater Bible Way Apostolic Temple - Table Of Faith Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen
Every Wednesday - Pantry from 5 to 6 pm; Soup Kitchen 6 to 7 pm. We care about the whole man.
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 (815) 726-7607 to book your appointment.
Address :
1214 Brown Ave,
Joliet, IL 60432.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Joliet
Help Residents of Counties:
- Will
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Since the start of the coronavirus, drive-thru food pantries have become the safest, most efficient way to provide food to our struggling neighbors.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.
Only two piece of information is asked
- You Zipcode, and
- Number of people in their family.
You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.
How do drive-thru pantries actually work?
There are lot of volunteers help at Drive-thru food pantries. While not all drive-thru pantries operate in the same way, here�s how most work:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the parking area.
Visitors pull up to the pantry in their car and are usually guided into a clearly marked queue. As people move through the pantry, staff will continue to move the cars forward to get everyone through as quickly and safely as possible.
Checkin.
You are required to fill some information for Pantry's recording keeping.
Food is loaded into the cars.
Pre-packed bags of food, usually full of shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats are loaded by volunteers into the trunk of the car.
Pet Food Pantry
One in four pet owners who give up their pets to a shelter say it is because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet Food Pantries are designed to fill the void in the nation�s current assistance programs that exclude the purchase of food and supplies for family pets.
The Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food, for 3 months or less, to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Joliet, Illinois
Who are eligible for Pet Food Pantry
Pet Food Pantry helps people who are:
- All ages, races and marital status
- Unemployed or underemployed
- Retired, living on social security or other limited income
- Physically or mentally disabled
- Experiencing homelessness or housing instability
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.