Resource Directory /

Meals and Financial Assistance Resources

  • Springfield Rental Assistance Program

    Funds are available through the Springfield rental assistance program, a partnership between the city and the Springfield Urban League. To qualify for the program:

    • The property address must be in the corporate limits of the city of Springfield.
    • Your household income is within the allowable limits.
    • Applicant must provide documentation showing a loss of income due to COVID-19.
    • Cooperation from the applicant’s landlord to participate in the program.

    Tenants seeking assistance should call the Springfield Urban League at (217) 789-0830, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please specify that you are seeking rental assistance within the city of Springfield. The intake process will occur over the phone. If you are leaving a message with the Urban League regarding the program after hours, please specify that you are seeking Springfield rental assistance along with your contact information.

    The application process will include communication with your landlord to verify the rental agreement and the total rent owed. The maximum amount a tenant may receive is $1,000.

  • Springfield School District 186 Meal Distribution Sites

    Beginning Sept. 8, the Springfield School District 186 meal distribution is open to all children up to age 18, not just District 186 students.

    Grab and go, prepackaged breakfast and lunch can be picked up each day from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at all locations listed on the District 186 website. Each child will receive one prepackaged breakfast and one prepackaged lunch each day.

  • Springfield-Area Meal Site List

    School districts and local companies providing meals for students.

  • Springfield-Area Micropantries

    The micropantries around Springfield, Chatham and Riverton operate independently and are like little libraries for food where people can take what they want and leave what they can.

    Click here for an updated list of micropantries.

  • St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry in Bettendorf, IA

    Pantry Hours:

    Wednesday, 6-8: p.m.

    Thursday, 9-11 a.m.

    The Summer Hours for Wednesday begin on June 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

    (563) 355-4161

  • St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Moline

    Pantry Hours:

    Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

    (309) 764-1562

  • 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: