Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Whiteside County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 6 places that can help in Whiteside County: Fish Food Pantry in Sterling (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM), (815) 626-1734, call first; Salvation Army Sterling (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM), (815) 625-1622, call first; Whiteside County Senior Center in Sterling (Thursday, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM), (815) 622-9230, call first. 3 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 Whiteside County, Illinois?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Whiteside County: The Salvation Army Sterling, IL Corps Community Center, (815) 625-1622. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get housing help in Whiteside County, Illinois?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Whiteside County: Whiteside County Housing Authority in Rock Falls, (815) 625-0581. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Whiteside County, Illinois?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Whiteside County: Whiteside CHD, Rock Falls. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Whiteside County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Whiteside County: 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. 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 Whiteside County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Whiteside 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 Whiteside County, Illinois?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Whiteside 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 River Bend Food Bank. We list the source on every card.