Meals and Financial Assistance Resources
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Rock Island
Food Pantry Hours: Monday and Thursday 9 to 11: 30 a.m.
(309) 793-7373
Stephenson County Restaurants Offering Delivery & Pickup
List of locally-owned restaurants and bars that continue to provide delivery and carryout service
Suburban Cook County Homeless Prevention Call Center
If you need financial assistance with mortgage, rent payments, rent deposits, utility payments or other housing issues, please call the Homeless Prevention Call Center at 1-877-4-Cook-15 (1-877-426-6515).
Listen carefully to the prompts to choose which kind of help you need.
Summer EBT “SUN Bucks” and Summer Meal Sites
Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or SUN Bucks is a nutrition program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Illinois families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child to purchase groceries for their household. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will provide EBT benefits at the end of August or beginning of September 2024.
See the Summer EBT/SUN Bucks Fact Sheet in English or la EBT de verano/SUN Bucks Fact Sheet in Spanish to learn more.
Your school can help you with basic questions about Summer EBT. Households should visit the IDHS Summer EBT webpage for more information.
The Illinois State Board of Education also partners with the Illinois Hunger Coalition and No Kid Hungry to operate the Summer Food Service Program hotline and text service. To find summer meal sites:
- Call (800) 359-2163
- Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304
- View the USDA Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder or Summer Meals Find Food Map to find nearby meal sites open to all children and youth ages 18 and younger
The Summer Meals Program and Illinois No Kid Hungry collaborate with national and state partner organizations to provide free meals during the summer for children and youth who depend on school lunches during the school year. Meals are available at locations throughout Illinois for children and youth ages 18 and under.
To find a meal site near you:
- Visit Summer Meals Find Food Map or No Kid Hungry’s Free Meals Finder
- Call (800) 359-2163
- Text “Food” or “Comida” to 304-304
There is no application to receive a meal and you do not have to show proof of income.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments and COVID-19 Financial Assistance
The Social Security Administration updated its rules about what financial assistance can affect an individual’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or their monthly SSI payment amount.
The administration no longer counts Economic Impact Payments, State Stimulus Payments and other COVID-19 financial assistance against an individual’s eligibility or payment amount. Visit the Social Security Administration’s website for the full list of financial assistance programs that do not affect SSI eligibility or payment amounts.
The Good Samaritan Inn Noon Meal Program in Decatur
The Good Samaritan Inn Noon Meal Program provides meals to all those who need it, no questions asked. Meals are served seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
920 North Union St.
Decatur, IL 62521The Neighbor Project (TNP) is a nonprofit, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to helping low to moderate-income families in Aurora reduce debt, build credit, save and ultimately buy their first homes.
The Salvation Army of Freeport’s Food Assistance
The Salvation Army continues to offer daily meals for pickup 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
524 W Stephenson St.
Freeport, ILThe Southwest Collective Resources for Families
A list of resources for vulnerable families on Chicago’s southwest side. The list is available in the following languages: