Meals on Wheels is a program that provides home delivered meals to men and women who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail, or at risk. These services are meant to help improve the quality of life and health of those served and hopefully delays the need for early institutionalization. To locate a program near where you live click here
Senior Centers can be a great resource for you to be able to get out of the house and share a meal with friends. Area senior centers will often provide meals and a chance to socialize. Click here for a list of areas in Illinois that have nutrition projects in place.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a federally sponsored program through USDA that provides coupons that can be used to purchase fresh produce at local Farmers Markets. To qualify you have to be at least 60 and have an income at or below 185% of Federal Poverty Level. This program currently is available in 31 counties in Illinois. You can contact the State of Illinois to see if you live in area where you can apply for this help, or contact the agency in your area that has the WIC (Women’s Infant and Children) food program.
WIC
WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Who is eligible?
Women and their children can receive this food help if:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
- Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
- Families with a low to medium income
- Information about citizenship status is not requested
WIC provides:
- Special checks to buy healthy foods - like milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans or peas, and peanut butter
- Information about nutrition and health
- Information and help about breastfeeding
- Help in finding health care and other services in your area
Where do you apply?
- Application is made at local agencies, usually a local health department. To find an office you can use the state website and in the office locator request an office for the Women, Infant and Children program in your county.
What happens after you apply?
- At your first visit to WIC clinic, please bring the following with you:
- Identification (i.e., Driver's license, photo ID)
- Proof of pregnancy
- Proof of income (i.e., your last two paycheck stubs, income tax form, Medicaid or Food Stamp ID, or All Kids' card)
- Proof of residency (i.e., your utility bill or recent mail)
- Proof of birth (i.e., Birth certificate for your infant or child)
- Proof of immunizations (i.e., Shot records)
School Lunch
Every public school must have a free lunch program that provides free lunches (and breakfasts if a school offers breakfast) to students eligible to receive free meals, per 105 ILCS 125/4 and 23 Illinois Administrative Code 305.10.
Who is eligible?
- Children who receive SNAP (Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are homeless, or live in families that meet the income guidelines may be eligible. Free lunches are provided to your child if your income is at or below 130% of FPL or you receive Food Stamps or TANF, or have let the school know you and your children are homeless. Your children can get a reduced price lunch if your income is below 185% of FPL (usually the meal costs no more than 40 cents). Your child can also purchase a lunch, even if your family income is more. The school will verify if you receive any public benefit that automatically makes you eligible
- Click here to calculate your FPL.
Where do you apply?
- Application is made at your local school or day care site. Click here to find out if your school or day care participates in this program.
What happens after you apply?
- You will need to provide:
- TANF or Food Stamp case number: this can be found on the medical card you receive from the state OR you can request a letter from your IDHS caseworker.
- Proof of income. Example: your last two paycheck stubs or income tax form
- Your child’s school will let you know which program your child is eligible to be enrolled in.