The St. Charles Public Library is dedicated to providing resource information to our community. Below you can find local information and links to locations that provide food for those in need, especially through the holidays.
Local Resources in St Charles and surrounding areas
St. Charles Public Library: Community Cabinet open to all, no questions asked. Located inside the Library at One S. Sixth Ave, St. Charles.
o During Library hours
o Phone: (630) 584-0076
Salvation Army Food Pantry: Operates a food pantry at 1710 S. 7th Ave in St. Charles. Families can receive food assistance once a month. The pantry hours are:
o Pantry shopping: Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
o Fresh food distribution: Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
o Phone: (630) 377-2769.
Lazarus House: Offers a Food Only program with ready-to-eat meals for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or need. The service area includes St. Charles.
o Address: 214 Walnut Street, St. Charles.
o Phone: (630) 587-2144.
Two Rivers Head Start Agency: Provides food assistance to Kane County residents, with an appointment-only pantry located at 418 Airport Rd. in St. Charles.
o Phone: (630) 264-1444.
Centro de Informacion: Runs an emergency food pantry at 1885 Lin Lor Ln. in Elgin, primarily serving low-income immigrants and families in the Fox Valley area.
o Phone: (847) 695-9050.
Other Local Options
Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry
Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry -Chapel Street Church
West Chicago -Neighborhood Food Pantries
South Elgin Methodist Church Food Pantry
Hessed House (PADS)
Feeding America website
Kane County Health Department Community Resource Page
Kane County Family Resources Guide
Broader Resources
Northern Illinois Food Bank, which partners with local pantries.
Find Food IL map
State and Federal Programs
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Provides eligible low-income individuals and families with monthly benefits on an Illinois Link card to purchase food. You can apply for SNAP benefits:
o Online: Visit the Illinois Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) portal.
o By phone: Call the ABE Help Line at (800) 843-6154.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): A program that supplies nutritious foods and nutrition education to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as infants and children up to age 5.
o Phone: (800) 323-4769.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Offers time-limited cash assistance for critical expenses, including food.
o How to apply: Apply online or at a local Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) office.