City of Evanston
Home MenuFood Accessibility and Assistance
For more information on resources available to those impacted by COVID-19, please visit the City's COVID-19 webpage or consult the Evanston Care Network.
Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens
Connections for the Homeless
Hours: Weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Address: 2121 Dewey Ave., Evanston IL 60201
Phone: (847) 475-7070
Evanston Vineyard Food Pantry
Vineyard Christian Church
Hours: Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Two pickups per household per month
Address: 2495 Howard Street, Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: (847) 328-4544
Website: http://evanstonvineyard.org/resources
Hemenway United Methodist Church Pantry
Hours: Every 2nd and 4th Friday, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Address: 933 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: (847) 869-0370
Hillside Food Pantry
Hillside Free Methodist Church
Hours: Wednesdays 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM; Saturday 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Limit one pickup per week.
Address: 2727 Crawford Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847) 328-7182
Website: hillsidefree.com/hillside-food-pantry/
Produce Mobile by Interfaith Action
Hours: Every 2nd Tuesday of the month 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Address: Robert Crown Center, 1801 Main Street, Evanston, IL 60202
Please call 847-475-1150 or 734-646-7170 for more information.
Faith and Food Bank Sherman United Methodist Church
Hours: Thursdays 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Address: 2214 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
Email: feedingthevillageevanston@gmail.com to register
The Giving Storeroom at Family Focus
Hours: Saturdays between 9 a.m. and noon.
Address: 2010 Dewey Ave., Evanston IL 60201
Phone: (847) 475-7570
Text your household size to the number above on the day you intend to participate.
Prepared Meals
City of Evanston Senior Congregate Meal Program
The City of Evanston, through a grant from AgeOptions, provides meals to persons age 60 or better regardless of their ability to contribute. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, congregate meals are being offered in 5-day frozen meals packs via a drive-through grab-and-go. For additional information, please contact the Levy Senior Center at (847) 448-8250 or apply online.
CJE Home-Delivered Meals
Through Title III of the Older Americans Act, CJE provides delivery of one to two healthy, calorie-controlled hot kosher meals for older adults who are unable to shop and/or prepare food. Frozen meals and those for special diets such as diabetic, low sodium, renal, and mechanical soft are also available during weekday delivery. Meals are delivered between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Eligibility requirements are based on assessment by the North Shore Senior Center. For more information, call (773) 508-1000.
Interfaith Action of Evanston
Interfaith Action maintains a directory of local food pantries in addition to a list of organizations that provide access to prepared meals/drop-in centers, and/or serve as winter emergency shelters.
For a schedule of prepared meal options, please click here.
Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois
Formerly Meals at Home, Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois links volunteers with older adults and individuals with disabilities who are unable to prepare their own food at home, both on short-term or long-term bases. Volunteers deliver two freshly-prepared meals a day, one hot and one cold, to clients. Meals are delivered Monday through Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Call (847) 332-2678 for more information, or apply online to volunteer or receive meals.
Federal Food Assistance Programs
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is a federal benefit program to low-income income families and individuals who demonstrate financial need. SNAP-eligible citizens purchase food with an Illinois Link card, which is used like a debit card. For more information and to apply, please visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
SNAP/EBT Retailers in Evanston
- Aldi (2211 Oakton St)
- CVS (101 Asbury Ave; 3333 Central St; 1711 Sherman Ave)
- C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor (1901 Church Street)
- Davis Pantry (927 Davis St)
- D & D Finer Foods (825 Noyes St)
- Delta Discount (800 Main St)
- Dollar Tree (1928 Dempster St)
- Evanston Farmer's Market (Oak & East Railroad)
- Evanston Gas & Food, Inc (101 Ridge Ave)
- Food 4 Less Midwest (2400 Main St)
- J.D. Mills Health Food (635 Chicago Ave)
- Jewel (1128 Chicago Ave & 2485 Howard St)
- J&S Food Mart (701 Howard St)
- Oakton Shell (2492 Oakton St)
- Open Pantry (821 Dempster St)
- Sam's Club (2450 Main St)
- 7-Eleven (817 Davis St; 847 Dodge Ave)
- Target (2209 Howard St; 1616 Sherman Ave)
- Trader Joe's (1211 Chicago Ave)
- Valero (443 Asbury Ave)
- Valli Produce (1910 Dempster St)
- Walgreens (635 Chicago Ave; 900 Dodge Ave; 2100 Green Bay Rd)
- Whole Foods (1640 Chicago Ave; 2748 Green Bay Rd)
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federal grant program that provides assistance to low-income and nutritionally at-risk populations including pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants up to age one (1), and children up to age five (5). For more information, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website. To apply for WIC, please call the Evanston CEDA office to schedule an appointment:
CEDA - Evanston
Address: 2010 Dewey Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, 2nd floor, Room 213
Phone: (847) 328-3511
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Health and Nutrition Resources
Imperfect Produce
Imperfect Produce is a company that sells fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be discarded due to aesthetic imperfections at a low cost. Boxes can be customized and come in four sizes. Best of all, it's delivered right to your door. SNAP/EBT eligible folks receive 33% off of their boxes.
ChooseMyPlate.gov
USDA website with educational material pertaining to healthy eating habits, including the five food groups, serving sizes, recipes, menus, printable materials, and much more.
EatRight.org
Basic information about most questions regarding nutrition from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The Mayo Clinic Food Substitution Guide
A list of healthier alternatives for popular foods to help lead a healthy lifestyle.
ReThink Your Drink
ReThink Your Drink is a city-wide initiative to encourage the community to make better drinking choices. This page on the City of Evanston's website provides information and resources to guide you to healthier drinking habits.
USDA Dietary Guidelines
The complete eighth edition (2015-2020) of dietary guidelines for Americans.
After-Hours Communication
For after-hours communicable disease or bioterrorism emergencies, please call (847) 448-4311 and stay on the line to be connected to someone immediately.