In-House Programs
Bags for the Homeless – Every other week dedicated volunteers of the Crystal Lake Food Pantry prepare 50+ bags of food, personal products, and drinks for the homeless. These bags are transported to Willow Creek Church facility for distribution.
Inspiration Kitchen – This kitchen was created to educate and support our neighbors with food preparation and diet choices. Many times, when the pantry is open there is a chef preparing food for tasting using items from the pantry. Sharing ways to prepare food items in an efficient tasty way is a benefit for those in need. Recipes are provided for the tasting of the day. The Inspiration Kitchen is also available for high school classes and is available for use by the McHenry County Department of Health and others.
Partnerships
Food Rescue Program – Learn more about this wonderful program and the stores that support it here.
McHenry County Drop Program – We act as the distribution center for 13 other pantries in McHenry County. The CLFP facilitates the drop of 8-10 pallets of food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank for the pantries in McHenry County to pick up the food they have the ability to handle and store for the following 2 weeks. This program allows the CLFP to support families throughout the county.
Pantry Share Program (PSP) – With the mission of “No One Should Go Hungry!,” we would rather give the food away than dispose of it because it is out of condition. PSP provides opportunity for neighbors and/or anyone to receive extra food once per week on Saturday mornings as long as supplies are available. Call CLFP at (815)-455-0961 or check with CLFP Facebook or Instagram pages for changes in availability.
Diaper Bank – The Crystal Lake Food Pantry (CLFP) realizes the families with food insecurities in Crystal Lake have small children or elderly who are in of need diapers and personal items. The CLFP has contracted with “Keeping Families Covered” to supply diapers for our needy neighbors.
Senior Box Program – Provides extra food to the neighbors over the age of 65 who have signed up through the Northern Illinois Food Bank. A box of non-perishable food items is delivered once a month by the volunteers from the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.