How to Receive Food Assistance in Central Illinois

There is assistance available for families who are unable to provide the necessary nutrition and food for the people that they love. Many areas have local food banks where families can pick up food packages once a month, food stamp programs are available. Below are some tips that could help you and your family find the help that you need to buy or get food in central Illinois.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Proof of any income
• Information about all individuals in the household

1. Research your area for food pantries. Speak with churches or your minister to find out about food banks in your area. Most food pantries allow you to visit once per 30 days. Make sure that you have proof of any income in your household and social security numbers for those who are living in your home.

2. Apply for food stamps or the LINK card. LINK is an automatic deposit into a card account that allows you to make food purchases in grocery stores that accepts the LINK card. It works like a credit card and uses the balance until it has been depleted (see Resources below).

3. Find out if Angel Food Ministries is available in your area. Angel Food Ministries offers food to families without any income limits. If you eat, you qualify. Many states offer this plentiful food program once a month in local areas. Families can get up to one box of food for just $30, and other meat packages are available at extra cost. Visit the Angel Food Ministries website to see if it is offered near your area (see Resources below).

4. Apply for the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program if you are a mother with infants or children. This program distributes vouchers based from your income that allows you to buy formula, juices, fruits, vegetables, eggs, milks, cereals and baby foods. It is a very useful program for single moms or families who don't have any extra income to get their small children the nutritional food that they need (see Resources below).

Resources

• Angel Food Ministries
• LINK program
• WIC program