The primary purpose of the Emergency Food Program (EFP) is to provide an emergency response to hunger. Northern Illinois Food Bank distributes high quality food to contracted member pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that want to increase their food resources and who agree to serve their communities.

The Emergency Food Program allows food pantries and soup kitchens to increase significantly the amount and variety of food they have to offer people in need.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) created this free food program to protect American farmers from economic collapse. USDA buys up product that farmers can't sell and distributes the food to states. The federal program, administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA, helps supplement the diets of low-income needy people by providing food at no cost.

In Illinois, the Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the program. Northern Illinois Food Bank has contracted with DHS to oversee the distribution of food to food pantries and soup kitchens in 18 counties.

What services are offered?
Food is available through food pantries that have regular hours, have food available on an emergency basis and have privately donated food available in addition to USDA commodities. Soup kitchens serve prepared, group meals to homeless, transient or other needy people.

Who is eligible?

• All Illinois residents with household incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level are eligible for EFP food for household use.

• Self-declaration is the method for establishing eligibility for EFP food at food pantries.

• People who receive prepared meals at soup kitchens are considered to be needy, and do not have to prove their monthly income.