Established in 1975, the Food Market is the largest countywide Food Pantry. We serve residents throughout DuPage County. Ninety-eight percent of our PRC clients are extremely or very low income, yet the majority are working. The savings from the box of groceries typically can pay a utility bill or contribute to the rent payment.

Main location is at 201 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL.

Hours at main location:



Mondays:	8:30 - 11:15 am and 1:00 - 2:45 pm
Tuesdays:	8:30 - 11:15 am and 1:00 - 2:45 pm
Thursdays:	8:30 - 11:15 am and 1:00 - 2:45 pm
Saturdays:	9:00 - 11:45 am

Eligibility: DuPage County resident. Bring a recent gas, electric or phone bill, Medicaid or lease showing your name and address.

Since 2002, low-income families living in Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Oakbrook Terrace, Westmont, Willowbrook, and Woodridge are eligible to come to the People's Resource Center (PRC) Food Market located in:

Westmont Alliance Church
117 N. Cass Avenue
(Cass Avenue North of railroad tracks)
Westmont

Hours at Westmont location:

Every Thursday:	8:30 - 11:15 am
4th Thursday:	5:30 - 7:30 pm, beginning 1/24/08
4th Saturday:	8:30 - 11:15 am

Eligibility: Must live in one of the towns listed above. Bring a recent gas, electric or phone bill, Medicaid or lease showing your name and address.

Our Food Market gives clients the gift of choice

We stock our pantry by obtaining food three different ways: 44% is donated by the community (churches, neighborhood events, schools, businesses or individuals); 16% is obtained from government programs; 40% is purchased from Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB). (Percentages based on pounds of food received.)

Nonperishable foods and paper products are always in demand. An average of 1,680 families per month were served in the Food Pantry last year; this year our clientele has already increased to 1,750 families per month. Cash donations are used to purchase food at a reduced cost from Northern Illinois Food Bank. For example, a dollar donated can purchase three or more boxes of cereal.

Over time, PRC’s basic services, especially food relief, have increased in scope and sophistication based upon the changing needs of the county’s low-income population and feedback provided by Food Market clients. PRC has come to see the Food Market as more than just basic needs assistance; it is a critical opportunity to address other family needs that can help families increase and achieve self-sufficiency.

Based on this perspective, PRC has gradually transformed its Food Market into a walk-in resource center, and has established the Food Market as a portal to other services and resources. This improved focus is built into the Basic Services Program which serves as a gateway to all PRC resources, and other community resources.

Each family who comes to the Food Market is assessed for clothing needs, rent/mortgage assistance, English language (ESL) literacy training, computer training, food stamps, medical coverage, and job assistance. The PRC serves as an application site for families and individuals to sign up for the LINK card (food stamps), AllKids (Illinois children’s health insurance), and Access DuPage (county health coverage plan).

Financial or food donations are always needed!.

Many volunteers are always needed!   See volunteer information.

To enquire further about this program, contact Melissa Travis at (630) 682-5402 or via Contact Us.

Pat Vicha, Brenda Veal, Betty Hamilton, and Bill O'Connor are all smiles after a shift in the Food Market.  Wouldn't you like to volunteer?


Whittier School's Girl Scouts after a successful food drive for the PRC