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HelpByState

Lake County, Illinois

Free help in Lake County, Illinois

Find a food pantry open this week
Free help from local charities, food banks, and state and federal programs. Free to use, no sign-up. Every listing shows the day we checked it.

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Real help, from real placesFood banks, charities, churches, and state and federal programs near you.
Checked for youEach listing shows the day we checked it, so you do not drive to a closed door.

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104confirmed listings
27towns covered
71food pantries and meal programs
October 9last checked

This week

Food this week in Lake County

Pick a day to see which pantries are open and when. Times come from each pantry's confirmed schedule. Tap Call to reach them.

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Tap a numbered circle to zoom in. Pins are for orientation only: trust the address on each card.

COOKMCHENRYALLEGAN, MIBERRIEN, MIVAN BUREN, MIKENOSHA, WI LAKE COUNTY Lake Michigan WaukeganLake ForestGurneeLong GroveHighland ParkMundeleinGrayslakeOld Mill Creek
Illinois
104 places

    Some safety programs do not share an address, so they are not on the map. They are listed under Safety below.

    Food pantries and meals71

    Waukegan

    Catholic Charities Lake Co. Food Pantry Waukegan

    Food pantry, a Northern Illinois Food Bank partner. No restrictions.

    Hours
    Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Wednesday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
    Address
    671 S. Lewis Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Hours come from the Northern Illinois Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    See all days, hours and details
    Waukegan

    Lake County Community Action Food Pantry

    Food pantry, a Northern Illinois Food Bank partner. Serves Lake County. Resident of Lake County and Photo ID.

    Hours
    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
    Address
    213 Water Street, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Hours come from the Northern Illinois Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    See all days, hours and details
    Waukegan

    Post Pantry

    Food pantry, a Northern Illinois Food Bank partner. Serves TOWNSHIP/NEIGHBORHOOD: North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion.

    Hours
    Wednesday, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
    Address
    204 Washington St, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Hours come from the Northern Illinois Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    See all days, hours and details
    North Chicago

    Midwest Veteran's Food and Nutrition Resource Ctr

    Food pantry, a Northern Illinois Food Bank partner. Active military, veteran, or dependent ID verification required.

    Hours
    Food pantry: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
    Address
    1720 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064

    Call first. Hours come from the Northern Illinois Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    See all days, hours and details
    Grayslake

    Lord of Glory Food Pantry

    Food pantry, a Northern Illinois Food Bank partner. Photo ID Required.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Thursday, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Saturday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
    Address
    607 W. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030

    Call first. Hours come from the Northern Illinois Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    See all days, hours and details
    Grayslake

    Wildwood Presbyterian Church

    Food pantry, a Northern Illinois Food Bank partner. Serves We serve all who are food insecure, with no boundaries or restrictions.  . No restrictions.

    Hours
    Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 2nd Saturday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
    Address
    18630 West Old Gages Lake Road, Grayslake, IL 60030

    Call first. Hours come from the Northern Illinois Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    See all days, hours and details

    See all 71 food listings in Lake County →

    Utility bills and rent help13

    Highland Park

    The Salvation Army Moraine Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Deerfield, Bannockburn, Highwood, Highland Park, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    800 Central Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Winthrop Harbor

    The Salvation Army First Baptist Church of Winthrop Harbor (Service Extension) Service Area: Winthrop Harbor, Zion

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    3001 9th Street, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Buffalo Grove

    The Salvation Army Vernon Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Indian Creek, Mettawa, Prairie View, Vernon Hills

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    3050 N. Main Street, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Lake Bluff

    The Salvation Army Shields Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Lake Bluff, Lake Forest Communities

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    906 Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Lake Villa

    The Salvation Army Antioch Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Antioch and Lake Villa, IL

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1275 Main Street, Lake Villa, IL 60002

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Round Lake Park

    The Salvation Army Avon Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Grayslake, Hainesville, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    433 E. Washington Street, Round Lake Park, IL 60073

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Wauconda

    The Salvation Army Wauconda Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Wauconda

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    505 W Bonner Road, Wauconda, IL 60084

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Barrington

    The Salvation Army Cuba Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Lake Barrington, North Barrington, Port Barrington, Tower Lakes

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    28000 W. Cuba Road, Barrington, IL 60010

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Libertyville

    The Salvation Army Libertyville Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Green Oaks, Libertyville

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    359 Merrill Court, Libertyville, IL 60048

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Lake Zurich

    The Salvation Army Ela Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Deer Park, Hawthorne Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Long Grove

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1155 E. Route 22, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Mundelein

    The Salvation Army Fremont Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Mundelein

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    22376 W. Erhart Road, Mundelein, IL 60060

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Waukegan

    The Salvation Army Waukegan Corps Community Center

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills and family services. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    850 South Green Bay Road, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update
    Lake Villa

    The Salvation Army Lake Villa Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Fox Lake, Ingelside, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Old Mill Creek, Wadsworth

    Salvation Army location that lists emergency help with rent and utility bills. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    37908 N. Fairfield Road, Lake Villa, IL 60046

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update

    Housing3

    North Chicago

    Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago

    Public housing apartments and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) for low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1440 Jackson St, North Chicago, IL 60064

    Call first. Office hours are not published. Call to ask about openings and the waiting list.

    See all days, hours and details

    Health and dental9

    Waukegan

    Belvidere Medical Building

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    2400 Belvidere Rd, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details
    Waukegan

    Grand Avenue Health Center

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    3010 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details
    Waukegan

    Outpatient Substance Abuse Program

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    3004 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details
    North Chicago

    North Chicago Health Center

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    2215 Audrey Nixon Blvd, North Chicago, IL 60064

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details
    Libertyville

    Libertyville Behavioral Health Home

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    18698 W Peterson Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details
    Zion

    Zion Health Center

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1911 27th St, Zion, IL 60099

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details
    Highland Park

    North Shore Health Center

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1840 Green Bay Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details
    Round Lake Beach

    Mid Lakes Medical and Dental Building

    Community health center run by Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    224 W Clarendon Dr, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    See all days, hours and details

    Recovery and mental health help3

    Waukegan

    The Salvation Army WAUKEGAN (IL) ADULT REHABILITATION CENTER & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

    Salvation Army location that lists addiction recovery and help for people without a home. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    431 South Genesee Street, Waukegan, IL 60085

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update

    Veterans services2

    Safety and crisis help1

    Government offices1

    How HelpByState works

    Checked, dated and corrected by neighbors

    1. 1

      Matched to the source

      A listing goes up only after its phone and its address or hours match the organization's own page, or an official list.

    2. 2

      Dated on every card

      Each card shows the day we checked it. If sources disagree, we say call first instead of guessing.

    3. 3

      Fixed by the community

      See something wrong, or know a place we missed? Send it in. Nothing changes until we have checked it.

    Neighbors helping neighbors

    Help is closer than you think in Lake County

    A volunteer hands a bag of fresh groceries to a mother holding her daughter's hand
    Free groceriesFood banks and pantries give food to anyone who needs it.
    A helper smiles as she helps an older man fill out a form
    Someone to help you applyState offices and local programs help with food stamps, bills and more.
    Kids laughing together over a free meal with a grandmother at a community center
    Meals and care for kidsFree meals, clinics and family programs, close to home.

    Questions people ask

    Where can I get free food in Lake County, Illinois?

    We have confirmed 71 places that can help in Lake County: Catholic Charities Lake Co. Food Pantry Waukegan (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Wednesday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM...), (847) 782-4000, call first; Christ Church Community Meal in Waukegan (Sunday, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM), (847) 662-7081, call first; Christian Faith Fellowship in Waukegan (Saturday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM), (847) 732-3817, call first. 68 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get help paying rent or a utility bill in Lake County, Illinois?

    We have confirmed 13 places that can help in Lake County: The Salvation Army Moraine Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Deerfield, Bannockburn, Highwood, Highland Park, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, (847) 432-3240, call first; The Salvation Army First Baptist Church of Winthrop Harbor (Service Extension) Service Area: Winthrop Harbor, Zion, (847) 872-5312, call first; The Salvation Army Vernon Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Indian Creek, Mettawa, Prairie View, Vernon Hills in Buffalo Grove, (847) 634-4600, call first. 10 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get housing help in Lake County, Illinois?

    We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Lake County: Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan, (847) 244-8500, call first; Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago, (847) 223-1170, call first; Housing Authority of the County of Lake, IL. in Grayslake, (847) 223-1170, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Lake County, Illinois?

    We have confirmed 9 places that can help in Lake County: Belvidere Medical Building in Waukegan, (847) 377-8400, call first; Erie Waukegan Health Center, (312) 666-3494, call first; Grand Avenue Health Center in Waukegan, (847) 377-8180, call first. 6 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Lake County, Illinois?

    We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Lake County: The Salvation Army WAUKEGAN (IL) ADULT REHABILITATION CENTER & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES in Waukegan, (847) 662-7730, call first; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 988; SAMHSA National Helpline (Open 24 hours a day, every day), (800) 662-4357. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get help with veterans benefits in Lake County, Illinois?

    We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Lake County: Veterans Crisis Line (Open 24 hours a day, every day), 988; VA national phone lines (Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern), (800) 827-1000. A veteran in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

    Where can I get free legal help in Lake County, Illinois?

    We have confirmed one place that can help in Lake County: Prairie State Legal Services, (630) 690-2130. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Is HelpByState free to use?

    Yes. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. Every listing is free, and so is adding or correcting one.

    Why do some listings say call first?

    Church and community pantries often change days, move, or close for a holiday. When the sources we checked disagree, or an organization does not publish its hours, we say so instead of guessing. A quick call saves a trip.

    I run a pantry or a program. How do I get listed or fix our hours?

    Use the Add a listing or Suggest an update form. We confirm it against your own page or contact you, then change the listing. It is free.

    Is this the same as 2-1-1?

    No. 2-1-1 is a statewide phone line and database run by the state network. HelpByState is an independent, county-by-county directory that shows the date each listing was checked. If you want to talk to a person, dial 2-1-1.

    Where do the hours and phone numbers come from?

    From each organization's own website or page, official sources such as housing authority and WIC clinic lists, and the public Find Food map of the Northern Illinois Food Bank. We list the source on every card.

    Something missing, or out of date?

    If you run a pantry or program, or you saw a listing that is wrong, tell us. We check every message against the organization's own page before anything changes.