Top 20 Food Items Needed

The Crystal Lake Food Pantry relies solely on donations, monetary as well as food products to provide for the hungry in the area.

YOU can help feed the hungry by either donating food supplies from the list below or by donating cash for the purchase of food.

A Shopping List Just For YOU!

Just print this shopping list, add the items you and your family need and as you shop, please consider an extra purchase of these items to donate to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

Please call the Pantry if you have any questions. Donations can be dropped off during our open hours of: Monday 10-2, Friday 10-2 or Saturday 9 –12. Large volume donations can be picked up with special arrangements. Combined with your donations and the food we purchase with cash gifts, we are able to assist over 500 families every month. We are grateful for your donations.

Top 20 Food Items Needed
• Coffee (reg./decaf)
• Evaporated Milk
• Juice
• Spaghetti sauce
• Canned fruit (peaches, pears, fruit cocktail)
• Canned corn
• Dry pasta (spaghetti, elbow, egg noodles)
• Canned pasta (ravioli, Spaghettios, etc.)
• Canned meat/meal (chili, ham, hash, etc.)
• Sugar (4-5 lbs)
• Oil (any kind)
• Flour
• Shampoo
• Dish soap
• Laundry detergent
• Toothpaste
• Toilet paper (4/pack or single)
• Kleenex tissue
• Diapers (any size)
• Feminine products/napkins

Local churches, community organizations
and hundreds of individuals organize food drives in their churches, neighborhoods or work places to keep the Food Pantry stocked throughout the year.

Some of the largest food drives are: Community Harvest sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and CL Jaycees; Postal Carriers' Association Food Drive;
and the "Scouting for Food" by the area Boy Scouts.

If you would like to organize a food drive, please call: (815) 455-0961 or

$2 Dollars Can Buy All This!

The Crystal Lake Food Pantry is a registered participant of the Northern Illinois Food Bank which allows the Food Pantry to purchase name brand, healthy non-parishable food at an extreme discount! $2 buys 8 boxes of name brand cereal. $10 buys a box of meat such as hamburger, chicken, etc.

What could YOUR donation buy?

Donated cash is used to purchase much needed perishable items such as eggs, butter, cheese, etc. as well as non-perishable items that are in high demand.To donate cash for food purchases, please mail a check to:

Crystal Lake Food Pantry
P.O. Box 1071
Crystal Lake, IL 60039-1071

In the memo line please write: "Food".