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🥫 Lake County, IL Food Pantry Resource Guide (2026)

By Dionna Jackson, Publisher - Macaroni Kid Gurnee April 6, 2026

          

For individuals and families facing food insecurity, Lake County offers a strong network of food pantries, churches, and community organizations ready to help. Whether you need emergency groceries, weekly food support, or assistance for your children or pets, there are resources available across the county.

⚠️ Important: Pantry hours and requirements can change. It’s always best to call ahead or check online before visiting. 

📍 Gurnee & Northern Lake County

Warren Township Food Pantry

📍 17801 W. Washington Ave., Gurnee, IL
📞 847-244-1101
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Note: Serves residents of Gurnee, Waukegan, Beach Park, and surrounding communities. 

North Point Church Food Pantry (Winthrop Harbor)

📍 Winthrop Harbor, IL
📞 847-746-5522
🕒 Hours: Monday 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM (seniors/disabled priority times available) 

Abiding Love Food Pantry (Zion)

📍 Zion, IL
📞 847-872-3541
Note: 🕒 Call for hours (serves Zion, Beach Park, and nearby areas) 


📍 Waukegan Area Food Pantries

COOL Ministries Food Pantry

📍 800 W. Glen Flora Ave., Waukegan, IL
📞 847-662-1230
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Note: Provides monthly food boxes for individuals and families in need. 

UMMA Harvest Market

📍 502 10th St., Waukegan, IL
📞 224-480-4320
🕒 Hours:

  • Monday & Tuesday: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday (Senior Day): 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Note: Offers culturally inclusive food options and community support. 

The UMMA Center Food Pantry

📍 Waukegan, IL
🕒 Hours:

  • Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Note: Available once per month for individuals/families. 


📍 Central Lake County (Libertyville, Grayslake, Round Lake)

Hope Food Pantry (Libertyville)

📍 125 W. Church St., Libertyville, IL
📞 847-362-2110
🕒 Hours: 2nd, 4th, and 5th Saturdays, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 

Our House of Hope Pantry (Grayslake)

📍 255 Commerce Dr., Grayslake, IL
📞 773-552-4673
🕒 Hours: Saturday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Note: Also offers pet food assistance for households with pets. 

Catholic Charities Food Pantry (Round Lake)

📍 101 N. Cedar Lake Rd., Round Lake, IL
📞 847-546-4339
🕒 Hours:

  • Tuesday & Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Note: Provides fresh and non-perishable food weekly. 

Avon Cares Food Pantry (Round Lake)

📍 Round Lake, IL
📞 847-912-9278
🕒 Hours:

  • Monday & Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Tuesday & Friday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM 

The Chapel - Community Care Center

•Food bank•Closed

📍 25270 IL-60, Volo/Grayslake
🕒 Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🕒 Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Note: ✔ Large church-based pantry serving families across Lake County

The Chapel

Churches

✔ Main church connected to the Community Care Center (same campus, outreach ministry)

📍 Southern Lake County (Highland Park, Lake Forest, Deerfield)

Moraine Township Food Pantry

📍 800 Central Ave., Highland Park, IL
📞 847-432-3240
🕒 Hours:

  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Thursday: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM 

Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry (Lake Forest)

📍 Lake Forest, IL
📞 847-235-1107
🕒 Hours:

  • Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Note: Serves seniors and residents in transition. 

📍 Additional Lake County Pantries

  • Santa Maria del Popolo (Mundelein) – Tues/Thurs/Sat hours available 
  • Open Arms Mission (Antioch) – Tues–Thurs evenings 
  • Lord of Glory Food Pantry (Grayslake) – Thursdays midday 
  • Project Hope (Barrington) – Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 3 PM 

🔎 How to Find More Food Help

If you don’t see a pantry near you, these resources can connect you quickly:

  • Dial 2-1-1 (free, 24/7 local help line) 
  • Use the Northern Illinois Food Bank “Find Food” tool 
  • Visit local libraries or township offices for updated lists

❤️ Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry

  • Bring ID and proof of address if possible
  • Arrive early—many pantries serve on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Ask about frequency limits (weekly, monthly, etc.)
  • Don’t hesitate—these services are here for you



⛪ Church Food Pantries in Lake County, IL

📍 Waukegan Area

The UMMA Center (Faith-Based Pantry)
📍 Waukegan, IL
🕒 Tues: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🕒 Wed: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
✔ Community-centered pantry with cultural food options

📍 Grayslake / Volo Area

The Chapel - Community Care Center

The Chapel - Community Care Center Web Address: 25270 IL-60, Volo, IL 60030 Phone: +18472012777

📍 25270 IL-60, Volo/Grayslake
🕒 Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🕒 Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
✔ Large church-based pantry serving families across Lake County

The Chapel

The Chapel Web Address: 25270 W IL Rte 60, Grayslake, IL 60030 Phone: +18472012777

✔ Main church connected to the Community Care Center (same campus, outreach ministry)

📍 Hainesville / Round Lake Area

Lord Of Glory Food Pantry - Food Distribution Center

Lord Of Glory Food Pantry - Food Distribution Center Web Address: 607 W Belvidere Rd #120, Hainesville, IL 60030 Phone: +18475485673

📍 607 W Belvidere Rd, Hainesville
🕒 Tuesday: Evening hours
🕒 Thursday: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
🕒 Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
✔ Lutheran church pantry with multiple weekly distribution times

📍 Winthrop Harbor Area

The Point

The Point Web Address: 900 Lewis Ave, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096 Phone: +18477465522

📍 900 Lewis Ave, Winthrop Harbor
✔ Church offering outreach programs (call for pantry/food distribution details)

📍 Zion Area

Abiding Love Lutheran Church Food Pantry
📍 Zion, IL
🕒 Call for hours
✔ Serves Zion, Beach Park, and surrounding communities

📍 Libertyville Area

St. Joseph Catholic Church (Outreach Programs)
📍 Libertyville, IL
✔ Offers food assistance and community outreach (contact parish office for pantry schedule)

📍 Highland Park Area

Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal Food Pantry)
📍 Lake Forest/Highland Park area
🕒 Tues & Thurs distribution times
✔ Serves individuals and families in transition

📍 Mundelein Area

Santa Maria del Popolo Catholic Church Pantry
📍 Mundelein, IL
🕒 Tues / Thurs / Sat (varies)
✔ One of the largest church-based pantries in central Lake County

🏛️ Countywide Faith-Based Support

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Northern Illinios Food Bank Web Address: 440 Keller Dr, Park City, IL 60085 Phone: +18473363663

📍 Park City, IL
✔ Supplies food to 900+ pantries (many are churches) across Lake County



🚚 Mobile Food Trucks & Pop-Up Church Distributions

(Lake County, IL – Faith-Based & Community Events)

🚚 Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Pantry (Pop-Ups)

📍 Example site: 3106 Belvidere Rd
✔ These are drive-thru style food trucks distributing fresh produce, meat, and groceries
✔ Typically first come, first served
✔ Hosted at churches, schools, or community centers

💡 These mobile pantries are designed to reach areas where traditional pantries aren’t enough 

📍 Round Lake

⛪ St. Joseph Catholic Church Mobile Pantry

📍 114 Lincoln Ave
🕒 Example: Monthly distributions (ex: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM)

✔ Outdoor drive-thru grocery distribution
✔ Fresh foods + pantry staples
✔ Hosted in partnership with Northern Illinois Food Bank

💡 These events happen monthly or periodically, not daily 

📍 Grayslake

🚚 University Center Mobile / Community Pantry

📍 1200 University Center Dr
🕒 Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

✔ While not a truck, this location partners with community outreach and mobile-style distributions
✔ Offers food + hygiene items 

📍 Lake County (Countywide Pop-Ups)

🚛 Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Trucks

✔ Operate across multiple cities weekly
✔ Often hosted at:

  • Churches
  • Schools
  • Township buildings
  • Community centers

✔ Provide:

  • Fresh produce 🍎
  • Meat & dairy 🥩🥛
  • Shelf-stable groceries 🥫

✔ Usually:

  • No cost
  • Minimal requirements
  • Drive-thru or walk-up options

💡 These mobile pantries are specifically created to serve high-need areas and reduce barriers to food access 

❤️ What Makes Church Pantries Different?

  • Often more flexible and welcoming (less paperwork in some cases)
  • Many provide extra support like clothing, prayer, or holiday meals
  • Strong sense of community and compassion

Churches may offer special holiday meals, backpacks, or kids programs


🔎 How to Find Upcoming Pop-Up Dates

These events change weekly, so here’s how to stay updated:

  • Visit Northern Illinois Food Bank website (Find Food / Mobile Pantry calendar)
  • Call 211 for real-time local listings
  • Follow local churches on Facebook (many post pop-up dates weekly)
  • Check township websites (Warren Township, Moraine Township, etc.)

🌟 Final Thoughts

Lake County has a strong, compassionate network of food assistance programs designed to make sure no one goes hungry. Whether you need short-term help or ongoing support, there are caring organizations ready to serve you and your family.




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