Homelessness & Food Resources
Findhelp.org
You can visit findhelp.org to search by zip code to locate resources for food, housing, goods, transportation, health services, financial assistance, employment-related services, education or legal issues.
Additional Resources
FoodFinder
FoodFinder has partnered with the University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed program to create Find Food IL, an Illinois-specific food resource tool. Families can use the Find Food IL map to find places in your community offering free food or meals, stores and markets that accept SNAP/LINK or WIC coupons, and the closest Illinois Department of Human Services or WIC office.
Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE)
Fill out the ABE application to receive state benefits for health care, food (SNAP), and cash assistance:
Association of Homeless Advocates in the North/Northwest District (AHAND)
AHAND is the northern council of the Alliance to End Homelessness, the coordinating entity for homeless housing and services in suburban Cook County. They maintain a large list of resources.
North Cook County Township Food Pantries:
- Barrington Township Food Pantry<
- Elk Grove Township Food Pantry
- Evanston Township Food Pantry
- Maine Township Food Pantry
- New Trier Township Food Pantry
- Niles Township Food Pantry
- Northfield Township Food Pantry
- Palatine Township Food Pantry
- Schaumburg Township Food Pantry
- Wheeling Township Food Pantry
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Find the closest food panty, and learn about Mobile Markets to get free and fresh groceries.
Tenants Rights
The Metropolitan Tenants Organization provides tips for Chicagoland renters, resources for those who cannot pay rent, and news regarding moratoriums on evictions, utility cut-offs, etc.
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA)
Contact CEDA's information and referral helpline at (312) 795-8948. Leave a message and an information referral specialist will call you back within 48 hours. Find the list of resources provided here.
Youth Hotline
Find hotline numbers and other information and resources, including food, healthcare, emergency shelter and temporary housing, as well as support to stay in school, for unaccompanied youth, both 17 and younger and 18 and older.
North/Northwest Suburbs Resource Directory
The Association of Homeless Advocates in the North/Northwest District (AHAND) offers a directory of resources.
SchoolHouse Connection
SchoolHouse Connection is a national non-profit organization working to overcome homelessness through education.
Family Focus
Family Focus invests in strengthening families and their children in Chicago and NE Illinois so they build social capital and achieve upward economic mobility through high-quality innovative programs and services, grounded in anti-racism and social justice.
The Refugee Center
The Refugee Center's professional staff understand what those who are new to the country are going through. They are available to accompany you to appointments, meetings, and other situations where families need help with translation or interpretation. We offer counseling services to help prepare for these events. Services include social services, mediation services and language assistance. Email admin@ecirmac.org or call 217-344-8455. They are open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, or by appointment.