CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill (Chambana Today) — A wide network of community food pantries and meal programs across Champaign County continues to help residents access groceries and fresh meals at no cost. From long-standing church pantries to the growing Give Back Garden initiative, organizations are working together to fight hunger and strengthen local support systems.

Christine Madden with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) said the demand for fresh produce and pantry staples remains high. “We get fresh produce in, and it goes right away,” she said. “The refrigerator was full this morning, and by the middle of the day, everything was gone.”

The Friends of Champaign County, which operates a shopping-style pantry inside the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m., also keeps a smaller supply of free food available in the CUPHD lobby Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information can be found at friendsofchampaigncounty.org.

Local Food Pantries

Champaign-Urbana:

• Church of the Brethren – 1210 N. Neil St., Champaign | 217-356-3852
  Call Monday–Wednesday with household details. Pickup Thursday and Friday. Everyone welcome.

• Grace Lutheran Church – 313 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign | 217-356-6232
  Thursday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Everyone welcome.

• Hope Center Food Pantry – 1802 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana | 217-607-5654
  Wednesday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. & 5–6 p.m. Everyone welcome.

• Cornerstone Food Pantry – 1101 E. Colorado Ave., Urbana | 217-402-2045
  Last Sunday, 1–3 p.m. Delivery available for homebound residents. Everyone welcome.

• Faith UMC Food Pantry – 1719 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign | 217-359-3631
  Monday–Tuesday, 12–2 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Everyone welcome.

• Restoration Urbana Ministries – 1213 Parkland Ct., Champaign | 217-355-2662
  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Food box every two weeks.

• Salvation Army – 2212 N. Market St., Champaign | 217-373-7832
  Monday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ID required.

• UniPlace Christian Church Pantry – 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign | 217-352-5118
  Wednesday, 3:30–5 p.m. One bag per household.

• Wesley Evening Pantry – 1203 W. Green St., Urbana | 217-344-1120
  Thursday, 5–7 p.m. Serving Champaign County.

Mahomet:

• Mahomet Helping Hands – 203 E. Adams, #2 | 217-586-3392
  3rd Saturday, 9–11:30 a.m. Serves Mahomet and Seymour.

Tolono:

• The Giving Place – 113 N. Bourne St. | 217-485-3610
  Wednesday, 4–6 p.m. Serves Unity Unit 7 School District.

• St. Patrick Food Pantry – 304 E. Vine | 217-621-5694
  Monday, 5–6:30 p.m.; Friday, 9–10:30 a.m.

Rantoul:

• Rantoul First UMC – 200 S. Century Blvd. | 217-892-2130
  2nd Wednesday, 5–7 p.m.; Last Saturday, 9–11 a.m.

• Cultivadores Pantry – 555 S. Maplewood Dr.
  Thursday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Services in English and Spanish.

Hot Meals and Sack Lunches

• Daily Bread Soup Kitchen – 116 N. 1st St., Champaign | 217-607-1418
  Hot lunch daily, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Everyone welcome.

• Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal – 208 W. University Ave., Champaign | 217-352-9827
  Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Sack meals only.

• Jubilee Café – Inside Community UCC, 805 S. 6th St., Champaign | 217-344-5091
  Monday, 5–6:30 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Give Back Garden: Fresh Produce for All

The Give Back Garden (GBG), located at CUPHD, provides fresh, locally grown produce to anyone in need. Established in 2012, the garden’s mission is to supply high-quality, nutritious food for community members who may otherwise lack access.

Each year, GBG’s 30 raised beds yield between 1,500 and 2,500 pounds of vegetables. Produce is placed in the CUPHD lobby on a first-come, first-served basis. The site also serves as a Solidarity Gardens donation location — gardeners across the area can drop off extra home-grown produce to be distributed locally.

Donation Site Details:

• Location: CUPHD, 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Champaign

• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

• Drop-off Locations: WIC desk in the lobby or Birth-Death Certificates window (12–1 p.m.)

• Contact: givebackgarden@c-uphd.org | 217-531-4529

• More info: c-uphd.org | Solidarity Gardens

For a full list and interactive map of food resources, visit the Eastern Illinois Foodbank resource map.