How You Can Help Evanston Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens

Local food pantries and soup kitchens say than they have in past years. Here, we've rounded up information on what you can donate to local organizations.

Salvation Army Food Pantry
1403 Sherman Ave., 847-866-9770
Caseworker Jean Sapper says the pantry is looking for canned tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, canned veggies, soups, peanut butter and canned meat of any kind.

Hillside Food Pantry
2727 Crawford Ave., 847-328-7182
Cereals, granola bars, spaghetti, macaroni, rice, packaged processed foods such as Hamburger Helper or Macaroni and cheese, canned tuna, canned salmon, peanut butter, jelly and jam, canned soups, canned fruits and canned vegetables are all needed. Check the pantry’s website for donation hours. Make checks to Hillside Church, 2727 Crawford, Evanston, IL 60201, with “food pantry” in the memo. 

The Harvest Food Pantry of Vineyard Christian Church
2495 West Howard St., 847-328-4544.
Drop off food items at the church anytime, in the bin in the front entrance of the church. Basic, non-perishable staples, as well as toiletries and baby items are needed. Find the full list on the church’s website. You can also donate money online. 

Soup at Six Soup Kitchen
Hemenway United Methodist Church, 933 Chicago Ave.
Canned goods are a huge help, says volunteer Julie Cowan. Since the soup kitchen serves people on Tuesdays, fresh fruits and vegetables are accepted for salads on Tuesdays. “We will take almost any food as long as it’s got a good date on it,” she says. There’s also a list of most-needed items online. Because there are no staff members, every monetary donation goes straight to the soup kitchen. Donate via check payable to Soup at Six, 933 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60202.

Greater Chicago Food Depository
4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, 773-247-3663
The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides food to 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters around Chicagoland. You can donate food or funds; find more information online.