After a federal judge ordered the USDA to tap contingency funds to keep SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits running during the government shutdown, local food providers and community groups are still rolling out emergency distributions and extended hours to help families facing delays and missed paychecks.

Until the situation surrounding SNAP benefits stabilizes, local food banks and community organizations are working to make sure Tri-Cities area residents can keep getting access to the food they need.

Find food: This interactive map from the Greater Chicago Food Depository makes it easy to search for active food pantries across the Chicagoland area.

Below we’ve compiled some of the resources available in the area:

MDW Cares, a Tri-Cities-based nonprofit dedicated to women’s mental health, community care, and advocacy, has launched “SNAP to It,” a local mutual-aid initiative providing grocery store gift cards to Kane County residents struggling to make ends meet while waiting for their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to return or renew.

“When SNAP benefits are delayed, the impact is immediate,” said Elizabeth Rago, Founder of MDW Cares. “Families who are already doing everything they can, working, caregiving, balancing multiple jobs, are suddenly left wondering how to feed their kids that week. We believe no one should face that kind of fear alone.”

Learn more and donate.

Serving Batavia and Batavia Township residents at 916 First Street, Batavia. Home delivery is available. You can also donate at Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia.

Note: Amid rumors, the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry & Clothes Closet clarified that it is not throwing away usable food, explaining that only unsafe or poor-quality items are discarded and that community need and participation remain higher than ever.

Lazarus House in St. Charles currently serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to approximately 60 individuals per day. Sack lunches are also provided as needed. Please call the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or call 630-587-2144 if you are interested in scheduling to help.

Open to all Tri-Cities residents; food assistance available twice monthly. Dinners are also offered on Mondays and Thursdays.

Open to all Tri-Cities residents once per month, weekdays 10AM-2PM.

An online food pantry offering free pickup or delivery.

The church serves a free community meal on the third Monday of every month from 5-7PM. Open to all Tri-Cities residents, it’s a sit-down dinner offered to all who are in need of a hot, homemade meal and friendship.

Located in the lower level of the church at 107 N. 4th Street, St. Charles. 

The South Elgin Community United Methodist Church food pantry is open the first and third Wednesday of each month to all residents of South Elgin and Valley View who may be in need.

Pantry Promise Ministries provides top quality food for families in need.

These volunteers help 1,500 families each week, and they’re running their 18th Annual Holiday Food Drive through November 26.

The library offers a “Community Cabinet” stocked with food that anyone who visits the library during business hours can access.

By providing assistance with pet food and supplies, Anderson Humane can help to alleviate financial burdens on pet owners. This not only benefits the pets by keeping them in loving homes, it contributes to healthier communities where both pets and people thrive together.

100 baskets (turkey & sides) will be provided to BPS101 families on the Free/Reduced program.

If your student qualifies for free/reduced meals, that benefit continues all year. Here are additional resources for how you can take advantage:

Fox Valley Christian Church provides weekend food packs to BPS101 families currently enrolled in the Free/Reduced program.

If you know of any resources missing from this list, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll add them.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.

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