Food/ Nutrition/ Breastfeeding

● Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Illinois Link Card Programs ●
Boone County Health Department - WIC - Women, Infants and Children
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federal health, nutrition, and prevention program helping to improve the diet and safeguarding the health of infants and children under age five and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women. Participants must meet the federal guidelines for poverty based on income and family size.
  • 1204 Logan Avenue
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-544-2951
- http://www.boonehealth.org
Winebago County Health Department - WIC - Women, Infants and Children
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federal health, nutrition, and prevention program helping to improve the diet and safeguarding the health of infants and children under age five and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women. Participants must meet the federal guidelines for poverty based on income and family size.
  • 401 Division St.
    P.O. Box 4009
    Rockford IL 61104
  • 815-720-4370

  • 555 N. Court St.
    P.O. Box 4009
    Rockford IL 61103
  • 815-720-4370
- http://www.wchd.org
DHS Family Community Resource Center (Boone and Winnebago Counties)
Receives applications for Cash, Food Stamps (SNAP with Illinois Link Card), and Medical Assistance by fax, mail, or in person. Anyone approved to receive cash assistance or SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits will be issued an Illinois Link card. The Illinois Link card is a plastic card that looks and works like a debit card. If you are eligible for cash and SNAP benefits, you will access both with the same card. Only one Illinois Link Card is issued per case.
  • 1111 N Avon Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: (815) 987-7620
  • TTY: (866) 322-2681
  • Fax: (815) 987-2380
- View DHS Illinois Link Card website
● Breastfeeding ●
Breastfeeding- LaLeche League
Nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. LaLeche League of Rockford meets 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm-8:00pm at Meg's Daily Grind - No purchase necessary to attend the meeting.
  • 1141 N Alpine Road
    Rockford, IL
  • Group email: lllofrockford@yahoo.com
- http://www.LLLUSA.org
Winnebago County Health Department - Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Provides breastfeeding assistance, education and support to women involved in the WIC program.
  • 555 N. Court Street
    P.O. Box 4009
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-720-4346
- http://www.wchd.org
OSF St. Anthony Hospital - Lactation Office
Provides breastfeeding assistance, education and support to women delivering babies at that hospital.
  • 5666 E. State Street
    Rockford, IL 61108
  • Phone: 815-226-2000 (Main Hospital #)
- http://www.osfstanthony.org
Rockford Memorial Hospital- Lactation Office
Provides breastfeeding assistance, education and support to women delivering babies at that hospital.
  • 2400 N. Rockton Avenue
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-971-5000 (Main Hospital #)
- http://www.rhsnet.org
SwedishAmerican Hospital - Lactation Office
Provides breastfeeding assistance, education and support to women delivering babies at that hospital.
  • 1401 E. State Street
    Rockford, IL 61107
  • Phone: 815-968-4400 (Main Hospital #)
- http://www.swedishamerican.org
● Boone County ●
Belvidere Boone County Food Pantry
Food distribution to families in need every Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Arrive no later than 1:30 p.m.). A photo ID and proof of residency is required, serves Boone County residents. Clients can only receive assistance once/month.
  • 200 S. Fifth Street
    Capron, IL 61012
  • Phone: 815-569-1571
- http://www.bbcfoodpantry.com
The Salvation Army
Serves Boone County residents
Emergency Food Basket
Distribution is Mon., Wed., and Fri. from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Except for extenuating circumstances, clients are generally required to bring in a referral from the Boone County Department of Human Services to receive an emergency food basket.
Supplemental Food Program
Distribution for the supplement food program is the first Wednesday of each month from 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. No referral is needed.
  • 422 S. Main Street
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-544-3892

● Rockford/Winnebago Food Pantries ●
Rock River Valley Food Pantry
Hours Monday-Friday 1:00-4:00pm. Closed all holidays.
  • 1080 Short Elm Street
    Rockford, IL 61102
  • Phone: 815-965-2466

Hours Monday-Friday 10:00am-Noon. Closed all official holidays.
  • 100 Broadway
    Rockford, IL 61104
  • Phone: 815-965-2466
- http://rrvp.org
Gentle Shepherd Pantry
Hours: Wed 8:30-10:30 am Closed: 4th of July and Christmas
  • 2905 Bildahl Street
    Rockford, IL 61109
  • 815-399-7283
- http://gentleshepherdfellowship.com
Life Center Food Pantry
Hours: Every Saturday 9:00-Noon. Closed Christmas weekend, 4th of July.
  • 921 West State Street
    Rockford, IL 61102
  • 815-964-4966
- http://www.rockfordlifecenter.org
St. Peter's Catholic Church Food Pantry
Hours: Wednesday 6:00pm-6:30pm; Limited to residents of South Beloit, Rockton, Roscoe; requires ID and proof of address.
  • 325 Oak Grove Avenue
    South Beloit, IL
  • 815-389-3726
● Rockford/Winnebago Food Distribution ●
Christ the Carpenter United Methodist Church
Open Mondays, 12:30-3:30pm. Personal care items when available.
  • 1100 S. Winnebago Street
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-965-7112
Christian Union Church
  • 1705 Kilburn Ave
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-963-3808
City of Rockford Human Services Dept.
Community Services Division: This division helps coordinate and monitor the Summer Food Program that provides lunches and/or snacks to children at qualified recreational and educational sites during the summer when the public school lunch program is unavailable. Call for program details and participating sites.
  • Location Address: 555 N. Court St. Suite 301
    Rockford, IL 61103


  • Mailing Address: 612 N. Church St.
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-967-4039
- http://www.rockfordil.gov/human-services.aspx
Cornucopia Pantry
Open every Tuesday&Thursday, 9:00-11:00am. Also open the 3rd Saturday of the month, 9:00-11:00am. Clients can only receive food once a month. Clients also need a photo I.D. and must be from Illinois. Food is distributed to families but clients need to prove that they have children, e.g. insurance information.
  • 402 Market Street
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-962-1380
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Provides a 2 day food supply.
  • 920 3rd Avenue
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-963-4815
Hunger Connection
Volunteer service + $14 cash or LINK in exchange for food packages. Must call to pre-register.
  • 900 Roosevelt
    Machesney Park, IL
  • Phone: 815-633-5817
Living Word Food Pantry and Outreach
Food distribution every second and fourth Wednesday of the month or by Friday appointment.
  • 4426 Virginia Avenue
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-963-4688
Rock River Valley Pantry
Six nutritiously balanced meals distributed to individuals and families.
  • Two Locations:
  • 1080 Short Elm Street
    Rockford, IL

  • 1100 Broadway Street
    Rockford, IL
Salvation Army
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30am-1:00pm.
Clients must have a photo I.D. and the social security card of everyone in their family to whom they are bringing food.
  • 416 S. Madison St
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-972-1135

Salvation Army, emergency food assistance
Intake required.
  • 500 S. Rockford Avenue
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone 815-226-4400
St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center
2 day supply of food, once a month.
  • 1505 S. Main Street
    Rockford, IL
● Rockford Meals ●
Carpenter’s Place
Coffee&rolls for breakfast&lunch Monday-Friday.
  • 1149 Railroad Ave
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-964-4105
Emmanuel Episcopal
Open noon to 1:00pm on Saturday.
  • 412 N Church St
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-964-5520
Emmanuel Lutheran
Open every Wednesday&Sunday, 11:30am-12:30pm. Open every 1st/3rd Monday, 11:30am-12:30pm.
  • 320 S. 5th Street
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-963-4815
Grounds for Life Soup Kitchen
Hours: Monday-Sunday, Doors open 6:00am - Meal Service 7:30am-8:30am.
  • 714 3rd Avenue
    Rockford, IL 61104
  • 815-975-7949
Life Center at Collier Garden
Hours: Fridays 12:30pm until 3:00pm Closed any legal holidays that fall on a Friday.
  • 2901 Searles Avenue
    Rockford, IL 61102
  • (779)770-3808
- http://www.rockfordlifecenter.org
Promise of Life Temple Breakfast Club
Weekday breakfast, 7:30-8:00am.
  • 714 3rd Ave
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-962-5330
Remedies
Hours: 24 Hour Shelter limited to residents. Meal times: 6:00am-8:00am; 11:30am-1:00pm; 5:00pm-7:00pm daily. Office hours 8:00am-5:00pm Monday - Friday and 8:00am-11:00am Saturdays.
  • 516 Green Street
    Rockford, IL 61102
  • 815-962-6102
Rockford Human Service Summer Food Program
Lunch and a snack for anyone under the age of 18. 33 locations throughout the city of Rockford.
  • Phone: 815-987-5782
Rockford Rescue Mission
Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the year.
  • 700 W. State Street
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-965-5332
Shelter Care Ministries Jubilee Center
Breakfast and lunch provided for members. Membership is obtained after the client has an intake at the Jubilee Center and a specific mental illness has been determined.
  • 412 N. Church St
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-964-5520
Washington Park Community Rec. Center Westside Soup Kitchen
Lunch Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon-1:30pm.
  • 3617 Delaware Street
    Rockford, IL
  • Phone: 815-987-1612
Zion Lutheran
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9:00am-11:00am. Serving Zip Codes 61104, 61108, 61109. Closed Thanksgiving.
  • 618 South 5th Street
    Rockford, IL 61104
  • 815-964-4609