Emergency Food

We strive to provide balanced, nutritious food to all our clients. Our supply fluctuates week-to-week, but typically we are able to provide clients with a variety of non-perishable food, frozen meat, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables and some personal care items.

We serve individual adults and families that meet certain monthly income guidelines. Depending on supply, we have diapers, and sometimes food and formula for infants. For our homeless clients we offer ready-to-eat foods and prepared foods that do not require cooking. Common Pantry does not provide clothing, furniture or appliances, nor do we stock specific items or brands for clients.

Just come to the pantry when we’re open and we’ll have a new grocery form you can fill out to tell us exactly what foods you’d like! We will be remaining outside, so please feel free to pull up to our front door on Damen or nearby streets. Thank you for your patience and we’re excited to give you more choice with your food!

We distribute food on Wednesdays, from 1 to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Clients can come to the Pantry for food once per month. Photo IDs are required, and they must include a current address.

Our service area extends east-west from Ashland Avenue to Kimball Avenue and north-south from Lawrence Avenue to Diversey Parkway. We also serve all of Lathrop homes, including residents south of Diversey. Service boundaries suspended until further notice due to COVID-19. Any person within Cook County can come to our doors once a month.

As always, we will be providing turkey dinners in November, ham dinners in December, and gifts for families with children in December. Turkey and ham dinners will be first-come, first-serve while gifts will have some requirements based on zip code. Read below for our hours and requirements and hope to see you there!

Turkey Giveaway and Holiday Distribution Hours
Turkeys and regular groceries will be available at all following sessions:
Tuesday, November 22nd 1-4pm and 6-8pm
Wednesday, November 23rd 1-4pm
Common Pantry will be closed: November 24th

Ham Giveaway and Holiday Distribution Hours
Hams and regular groceries will be available at all following sessions:
Wednesday, December 21st 1pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm
Thursday, December 22nd 1pm-4pm
Common Pantry will be closed: December 26th – 30th

Holiday Gift Distribution Hours
Families living within the following zip codes (60618, 60640, 60647, 60625, 60639, 60613) with registered children will be eligible for Target gift cards. Children must be registered in person during regular grocery distribution hours by December 1st.
Wednesday, December 7th 1pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm
Thursday, December 8th 1pm-4pm
Wednesday, December 14th 1pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm
Thursday, December 15th 1pm-4pm

We offer a special produce day, always on the third Monday of every month (except January). Any Cook County resident, regardless of income, is invited to come between 10 a.m. and 12 noon to receive fresh fruit and veggies, provided by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

We offer delivery for those who cannot come to the pantry on their own. Once per month, volunteers pack bags and deliver food. To inquire about receiving this service, please call our program manager at (773) 327-0553.