Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources
Find Help Southern Illinois connects people to area programs and services, including:
- Food and basic needs, such as food pantries, baby supplies, clothing and home goods
- Housing and shelter options
- Healthcare services, including medical, dental and vision care and transportation to health care
- Addition and recovery support
- Mental well-being services
- Financial assistance for child care, transportation, medical supplies and more
- Use the search filter to find the help you need in your community—sort by “closest” to receive the local information first
- Education and employment programs
- Legal assistance
The resource hub is an initiative of Southern Illinois Healthcare, Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network and the Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families. The hub also receives support from the McKinney Vento Program for the Homeless Region V, Carbondale Elementary School District 95, Herrin Community Unit School District 4 Family Outreach Program, and the Carbondale Community Cabinet for Children and Youth with funding provided by Birth to Five Illinois.
Find Your Local Food Bank – Feeding America
The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks and food programs helps millions of people find food and grocery help in their communities every year. Connect with your local food bank to learn about upcoming free food distributions and to apply for national food programs.
You can also visit Feeding Illinois for more information about Illinois food banks.
First Hand Foundation’s pediatric medical grants provide vital financial assistance to uninsured or underinsured children up to age 18. The grants aim to help children receive timely, life-changing treatment that improves their health and quality of life. Families can apply for grants to cover critical medical expenses such as surgeries, prescriptions, medical equipment and travel costs. Each child is eligible for one grant every 12 months.
Learn more about applying for a grant, covered expenses and eligibility on First Hand Foundation’s website.
Applications can be submitted anytime. Grants are reviewed monthly.
For questions, fill out the online Contact Us to Learn More form on First Hand Foundation‘s website.
Food and Support Programs in Chicago and Cook County
Get help finding food, nutrition programs, job training, and accessing programs at over 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community partners in the Chicagoland area.
Visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository website for more information.
Food Pantries in the Rock Island Area
Catholic Quad Cities offers food pantries and outreach throughout the area. Visit its Works of Mercy page for a list of pantries, services and when each location is open.
Food Pantry at Christ Church in East Moline and Silvis
The Food Pantry at Christ Church provides groceries to over 10,000 people annually at its Silvis and East Moline campuses.
Food is distributed at:
- The Silvis Food Pantry, 1301 2nd Ave., on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- The East Moline Campus in the Family Life Center, 3801 7th Street, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For more information, email connect@christchurchquadcities.com or call (309) 755-2508
FoodFinder’s free website and app display an interactive food assistance map, helping users find their nearest food pantry or other free food programs anywhere in the United States.
- Website: https://foodfinder.us/
- App: “FoodFinder – Fighting Hunger”
- Email: info@foodfinder.us
FreeFood.org is a website where people can find and add free food resources locally and nationwide.
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts provides reconstructive surgery at no cost to families of children who are uninsured, underinsured, denied procedures as cosmetic or the deductible would be a financial hardship to the family. Surgery weekends are held three times a year at Comer Children’s Hospital.
Friends of Man is a non-profit that uses 100% of donations for charitable assistance. The charity receives applications requesting mobility equipment, prosthetics, home modifications, medical equipment, hearing aids, basic needs and much more from referring professionals. Referring professionals include caseworkers, case managers, healthcare workers, social workers, school counselors, teachers and clergy who apply on behalf of their patients and clients.
In addition to the assistance listed above, Friends of Man can provide assistance nationwide for adaptive equipment, assistive technology, lift chairs, mobility equipment, orthopedic braces and shoes, stairlifts, vehicle adaptations and wheelchair ramps.
More details are on the Friends of Man Eligibility page.