The Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry’s purpose is to help local families and individual’s in times of emergency or unusual hardship, and in some cases to help sustain low income families and people who are ill or elderly. The Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry is a registered non-profit 501(c) organization managed by a board of directors and staffed by a group of volunteers from the community.
A client may come in for assistance once every month, and have a referral card from the Wauconda Township Office. A photo I.D. and utility bill is required for proof of residency.
Currently, the Wauconda-Island Lake Food pantry serves an average of 250 families and 700 individuals per month.
History of the Food Pantry
The Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry was started in 1982 by a small group from an area church (Church of the Holy Apostles) and local volunteers who wanted to provide a safety net for families who “fall through the cracks” and assist local families in needy times. It stared in a vacant storefront in the Wauconda Shopping Center on Route 176, but grew and was relocated to the Community Activity Center on Main Street. In 2010, the Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry moved to its current location on Bonner Road, behind the Wauconda Township offices. It is an independent food pantry, and has no affiliation with government or other agencies.
The Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry currently has over forty volunteers, and operates as a registered 501(c) organization, serving an average of 180 families per month in the Wauconda/Island Lake area.
Location and Hours
The Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry is located at:
505 West Bonner Road, Wauconda, IL 60084
Behind the Township Building
Donation and Distribution Hours
| Monday | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Sunday | Closed |
How to Help
Donate Funds
Your gift will immediately fight hunger in our community and help achieve our mission: providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. You have the power to make a difference today.
By Zelle: Use infowilfp@gmail.com to donate through your bank using Zelle.
By Paypal or Credit Card: Click the donate link below and you will be taken to a secure page.
By Mail: Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry, PO Box 255, Wauconda, IL 60084
Make checks payable to Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry
Have a Food Drive
Food donations are needed now more than ever before. Just as the Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry is facing unprecedented need, the cost of food has skyrocketed. The number of families and individuals seeking assistance has doubled over the past few years and food prices have reached an all-time high, and continue to rise. Your donation of non-perishable items are greatly appreciated. There are permanent drop-off food locations throughout the community: Food Pantry, Bliss Wine & Gifts, Island Lake Village Hall, Wauconda Village Hall, Vickies Personal Touch, Wauconda Township Office, Bulldogs Grill and Threads.
Volunteer
Volunteers help make the Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry one of the most efficient charities around. Thanks to the help of dedicated volunteers—who provided more than 9000 hours of volunteer time last year—the Food Pantry is able to feed the hungry in our community more efficiently.
Host an Event
Some organizations have donated their proceeds from garage sales, car washes, community 5K’s etc to the Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry. Whatever your group likes to do can be easily made into a fun fundraising event!
Contact Us
Give us a call and we would be happy to talk to you or direct you to someone who can help answer your questions at 847-526-8684.
Or you can contact us at infowilfp@gmail.com.
If you would like to mail a note to the board our mailing address is:
Wauconda/Island Lake Food Pantry
PO Box 255
Wauconda, IL 60084
Thank you for your interest in the Wauconda Island Lake Food Pantry.