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 priority 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 and you will be eligible for our supplemental programs, including pet food, toiletries and seasonal extras. If you live outside of our priority service area, we can provide you with some food and direct you to a food pantry that will be more convenient to where you live.
2026DATES FOR TUESDAY EVENING (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.) DISTRIBUTIONS:
January 13, 2026 February 10, 2026 March 10, 2026 April 14, 2026 May 12, 2026 June 9, 2026 July 14, 2026 August 11, 2026 Sept. 8, 2026 Oct.13, 2026 Nov. 10, 2026 Dec. 8, 2026
HOLIDAY CLOSURES
This year, the Pantry will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on November 25th, and on December 23rd and 30th for the December holidays.
LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
HEARING/BALANCE TESTING ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21st!
The Pantry, in partnership with Irving Park Lutheran Church, is hosting a free Hearing and Balance Fair free to the community from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21st at IPLC, 3938 W Belle Plaine.
Students from Northwestern University Audiology program and Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Physical Therapy and Human movement will provide Hearing and Balance assessments. Northwestern students will provide blood-pressure screenings.
Each assessment takes 20 minutes to complete. Representatives from Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and Caption Call will be on hand with resources for this health and wellness fair.
Register here or email clientservices@irvingparkfoodpantry.org.
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NO HEAT IN PANTRY!
The Pantry’s boiler has stopped working, causing the indoor temperature to drop into the mid-50s during many of our recent distributions. We continue to allow clients to shop as always, but please prepare for cooler temperatures while waiting or shopping. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope spring weather will warm the interior until the new boiler is installed.
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DONATIONS FOR SPRING BASKET PROGRAM NEEDED!
The Pantry is running its annual spring program during March, providing clients’ children 12 years and younger with baskets of toys and goodies running all month (prior to Easter on April 5th). We are requesting monetary donations for the program to help us purchase the final items needed to fill out the baskets.
If you would like to help, please make a donation here via PayPal, Venmo, credit cards or Google Pay. You also can mail a check to Irving Park Food Pantry, 4256 N. Ridgeway Ave, Chicago IL 60618. Thank you for your support of this annual program!
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INSIDE SHELTER AVAILABLE
During inclement weather, the Pantry can offer inside shelter to clients while they wait. Even so, please dress appropriately if the weather is cold, wet or snowy. We will try to move the line along as quickly as possible to get everyone sheltered and on their way home quickly.
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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 during a 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