Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, IL — When you look around Lake County, it’s easy to see the effects the coronavirus has had on our way of life. What’s less visible is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat.

Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year’s end. That’s 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it’s a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

In Lake County, or 6.9 percent of the population, about 49,000 residents, was considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” interactive study.

Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Lake County to 11.9 percent by the end of the year, marking an increase of more than 71 percent since 2018.

Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include locations in Chicago and Geneva, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.

In Lake County, the following pantries are run by religious organizations, nonprofits and and local township governments. Many are operating with adjusted hours and services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so be sure to call ahead to confirm policies and availability.

Alliance for Human Services - Lake County CATCH
114 S. Genesee St., Unit 505, Waukegan - 847-922-5897

Alpine Chapel - Food Pantry
23153 West Miller Road, Lake Zurich - 847-540-8280

Amazing Grace Sharing Center - Food Pantry
255 North Quentin Road, Lake Zurich - 847-438-7440

Antioch Township- Food Pantry
1625 Deep Lake Road, Suite B, Lake Village - 847-396-3378

Avon Township - Food Pantry
433 E. Washington St., Round Lake - 847-546-1446

Barrington Council on Aging - Meals on Wheels
6000 Garland Lane, Suite 100, Barrington - 847-381-5030

Beth Am - Food Pantry
1370 Abbott Court, Buffalo Grove - 847-383-5017

Benton Township - Meals on Wheels
Zion Park District Shiloh Center - 847-546-5733

Catholic Charities - Emergency Food Pantry
671 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan - 847-782-4000

Catholic Charities - Highwood Evening Supper Program
134 North Ave., Highland Park - 847-782-4000

Catholic Charities - Round Lake Evening Supper Program
118 Lincoln Ave., Round Lake - 847-782-4000

Christ Episcopal Church - Community Meal Program
410 Grand Ave., Waukegan - 847-662-7081

Christian Neighbors Church - Emergency Food Box
222 N. County St., Unit C, Waukegan - 847-714-6488

Church of the Holy Spirit - Food Pantry
400 E. Westminster Ave., Lake Forest - 847-234-7633

Community Action Partnership - Food Pantry
2424 Washington St., Waukegan - 847-249-4330

Cool Ministries - Food Pantry
800 W. Glen Flora Ave., Waukegan - 847-662-1230

Cuba Township - Food Pantry
28000 W. Cuba Road, Barrington - 847-381-1924

El Puente Latino - Food Pantry
2415 N. Butrick St., Waukegan - 847-599-3051

First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville - Mobile Food Pantry
219 W. Maple Ave., Libertyville - 847-362-2174

First United Methodist Church - Free Meal Program
128 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan - 847-623-2433

Fremont Township - Food Pantry
22385 W. Highway 60, Mundelein - 847-223-2847

Grant Township - Food Pantry
26725 West Molidor Road, Ingleside - 847-740-2233

Hope Food Pantry
125 W. Church St., Libertyville - 847-362-2110

Lake Villa Township - Food Pantry
37908 N. Fairfield Road, Lake Villa - 847-356-2116

Libertyville Township - Food Pantry
359 Merrill Court, Libertyville - 847-816-6800

Lord of Glory - Food Pantry
608 W. Belvidere Road, Grayslake - 847-548-5673

Moraine Township - Food Pantry
800 Central Ave., Highland Park - 847-432-3240

Most Blessed Trinity - Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen
912 8th St., Waukegan - 847-623-2112

Open Arms Mission - Food Pantry
1548 S. Main St., Antoich - 847-395-0309

Our Lady of Humility - Food Pantry
10655 Wadsworth Road, Beach Park - 847-872-8778

PLAN - Emergency Assistance Food Pantry
1892 Nicole Lane, Round Lake - 847-302-9904

Rahmah Foundation - Food Pantry
134 West Monaville Road, Lake Villa - 847-312-9776

Saint Anastasia - Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen
624 Douglas Ave., Waukegan - 847-623-2875

Saint James Catholic Church - Food Pantry
134 North Ave., Highwood - 847-433-1494

Saint Mary of Vernon - Food Pantry
236 U.S. Highway 45, Indian Creek - 847-362-1069

Saint Vincent De Paul - Food Pantry
135 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich - 847-726-4890

Shields Township Phoenix Rising Foundation - Food Pantry
906 West Muir Avenue Lake Bluff - 847-579-9739

St. Joseph - Food Pantry
112 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville - 847-362-2073

St. Vincent De Paul - St. Bede Food Pantry
36455 N. Wilson Road, Ingleside - 224-360-2562

Umma Center - Food Pantry
221 Washington St., Waukegan - 847-336-6136

Vernon Township - Food Pantry
3060 N. Main St., Buffalo Grove - 847-634-4600

Warren Township - Food Pantry
17801 W. Washington St., Gurnee - 847-244-1101 x100

Wauconda-Island Lake Food Pantry
505 W. Bonner Road, Wauconda - 847-526-8684

West Deerfield Township - Food Pantry
601 Deerfield Road, Deerfield - 847-945-0614

Wildwood Presbyterian Church - Food Pantry
18630 W. Old Gages Lake Road, Grayslake - 847-223-0073

Zion Township - Meals on Wheels
1015 27th St., Zion - 847-546-5733

RELATED: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor

Food insecurity is often thought of as a “poor people’s problem,” but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.

“Our members are reporting that many of the people they’re serving have never sought food assistance before,” Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America’s chief network officer, told Patch. “Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance.”

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.