Neighbors Helping Neighbors since 1984.
Who are we?
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping alleviate food insecurity on the Northwest side of Chicago. The purpose of the IPCFP is to provide hunger relief services, hunger education and awareness and advocacy to influence anti-hunger policy.
Our goal is to provide caring, consistent service through an equitable distribution of Pantry resources to all clients.
On a weekly basis, our volunteer-run organization serves clients in need, within the 60641 and 60618 zip codes, a 3-5 day supply of food from all food groups.
Location & Hours
4256 N. Ridgeway Avenue Chicago, IL 60618
The Irving Park Community Food Pantry is located within the Emanuel United Methodist Church at 4256 N. Ridgeway Avenue (60618).
Hours of Operation:
Wednesdays 9:00am - 12:00pm
Second Tuesday of every month 6:00pm - 7:00pm
If you live within our service area (60618 or 60641 ZIP codes), please come in during operating hours! We will register you as a client for monthly food allotments based on your family size. If you live outside of our service area, we can provide you with a small amount of food and direct you to a food pantry that serves your neighborhood.
DATES FOR TUESDAY EVENING (6 to 7 p.m.) DISTRIBUTIONS IN 2025:
January 14, 2025 February 11, 2025 March 11, 2025 April 8, 2025 May 13, 2025 June 10, 2025 July 8, 2025 August 12, 2025 September 9, 2025 November 11, 2025 December 9. 2025
HOLIDAY CLOSURES
The Pantry will be closed for the holidays on December 17 and December 31st, 2025.
Regular distributions of food will begin again from 9 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, January 7th and 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th.
LATEST NEWS & UPDATES:
BASKET DONATIONS NEEDED!
Spring Basket Drive Donations Needed
The Pantry will host its annual spring basket program starting in late March, providing clients’ children 12 and under with baskets of toys and goodies. We seek donations of plastic bucket-style Easter baskets, plastic eggs filled with candy or toys, plush animals, wrapped candy, small toys and other treats.
Donate through our Amazon Wish list or drop off items at Big Helpers at 4184 North Elston Avenue, 10am-4pm, Monday through Friday, or on the enclosed front porch at 3833 N. Tripp Avenue any time.
For more details, contact Craig Shutt at craigshutt@gmail.com
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NO INSIDE SHELTER AVAILABLE
We regret to say that we have very limited shelter out of the elements for those waiting in line to enter and register. Please dress appropriately for waiting outdoors for what could be a significant amount of time, especially in very cold or inclement weather. We are sorry for the inconvenience and will try to move the line along as quickly as possible!
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CLIENTS - BRING YOUR OWN BAGS
The Pantry will no longer have plastic bags available to provide to clients as of Wednesday, March 6th, 2024. Clients must bring their own reusable bags to take food home. Several resusable bags will be provided in March during the client’s first visit, and they are encouraged to bring their own. Those who don’t bring their reusable bags after their first visit will be offered leftover cardboard boxes to gather their groceries together.
Food insecurity is the state of being without a reliable or sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
“The COVID19 crisis disproportionately affects low-income families and hourly workers. Many people face health issues, less income or both.”
— Greater Chicago Food Depository
“1 in 7 people in Cook County experience food insecurity .”
— Feeding America
“Households with children are nearly 1.5x more likely to experience food insecurity than households without children .”
— U.S. Department of Agriculture