Get Help

We are here for you.

Founded by local churches in 1981, the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry & Clothes Closet is a community-driven, not-for-profit organization. Our purpose is simple: to walk alongside individuals and families during times of challenge, making sure no one has to face them alone.

Whether you’re experiencing job loss, underemployment, disability, homelessness, or other difficulties, you are welcome here. We provide food, household supplies, and clothing in a respectful and supportive environment.

If you live within Batavia or Batavia Township (including parts of Aurora and North Aurora), you are eligible to visit the Food Pantry once each month and the Clothes Closet twice each month.

Becoming a Client

Who is Eligible?
Residents of Batavia or Batavia Township (which includes some parts of Aurora and North Aurora) are eligible. You must be certified in order to be served by the Batavia Food Pantry and the Clothes Closet. Contact us if you are unsure if you live within these boundaries.

How to Register for Help
You will need to bring the following items with you during our regular hours of operation (at least 15 minutes prior to closing):

A picture ID – driver’s license, state ID.
A CURRENT (within 1 month of current date) utility bill or rent receipt with your name showing proof of residency in Batavia or Batavia Township.

Once You are Certified
You will receive a punch card. Every time you visit the Food Pantry or Clothes Closet, you must bring your card. Without the card (lost or forgotten), you need to re-certify and pay $1 for a new card.

Annual Certification
All clients must be re-certified once a year on their anniversary date.

There are three ways you can shop:

By Appointment

You can shop inside the Food Pantry & Clothes Closet by making an appointment below.

Walk-In

A limited number of walk-in slots will be available for those without an appointment.

Order Online

Place your food order online and we will have it ready for pick-up during our regular shopping hours. Online orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance.

Order Online

Schedule Your Shopping Appointment

Use the calendar below to schedule your shopping appointment. You can choose to shop for food, clothing, or both.

Shopping FAQs

I heard you moved. Where are you located?

Our new address is 916 First Street, Batavia, IL, 60510

Where does your food come from?

The food that we distribute to families comes from one of 4 sources:

The Northern Illinois Food Bank: We are part of the NIFB network, which allows us to obtain food from them for a fraction of the cost at the grocery store. We are able to purchase $8 of food from NIFB for $1.
Our grocery store partners: Our Food Pantry Van heads out 4 days per week to pick up food rescue from local store partners. These stores provide us with the majority of the produce, meats, dairy, and deli items that we distribute.
Community Donations: Our generous community regularly donates food and clothing items to the Pantry and Closet, helping to keep our shelves and racks well-stocked.
Purchases from local stores: Items that cannot be sourced from one of the methods above are purchased from local stores like Aldi, Dollar Tree, and Woodman’s.

How many times per month can I shop at the Pantry and Closet?

Families can shop once per calendar month at the Food Pantry and twice per calendar month at the Clothes Closet. Additionally, families can come in to receive extra bread and produce 15 minutes before the end of any day we are open for shopping. Bread and produce shoppers may need to wait a few minutes as all monthly shoppers are able to start before Bread and Produce shoppers begin.

What do I do if I lost my punch card?

If you lost your punch card, you can receive a replacement. To get a replacement, bring your proof of address, photo ID, and $1 (the cost to replace the card) to the check-in desk, and we can help you.

Can someone else shop for me?

Yes, you can have others come in to shop for you or pick up your online order. Please send your Pantry punch card with them to make the process easier.

Do you have foods for special diets like sugar-free, gluten free, dairy-free or low salt?

Yes! We understand that many of the families who visit us may have members with dietary concerns. We strive to offer a variety of healthy options, including gluten-free, low-sodium, sugar-free, and dairy-free options. Please inform the volunteers if you have any questions about the location of these items in the Pantry.

Can my children come with me when I shop?

While shopping at the Food Pantry or Clothes Closet may be easier for you if your children are able to stay home with a caregiver, children may shop with you if necessary.

Will I get to choose my own items when I shop?

Yes! We operate a client-choice Food Pantry and Clothes Closet, allowing you to select all the items you receive during your visit.

What if I run out of food and I have already shopped this month?

We are meant to supplement your monthly groceries, not replace them. Be sure to take advantage of Bread and Produce times during the month if you are consistently running out of food. Bread and Produce shoppers also have access to the bonus section, including bonus meats, which can further supplement your food for the month.

I do not have transportation but I need to come to the Pantry. Can I still get food?

The Pace Dial-A-Ride program in Kane County provides on-demand bus transportation for families who need assistance getting to the Food Pantry. Call 866-727-6842 to make a reservation, or visit their website at https:// www.pacebus.com/dial-ride-services-kane-county

We do have limited availability to provide deliveries to homebound individuals. Call the Food Pantry line at 630-879-3784 to ask about delivery eligibility.

Are you open on the Holidays?

Our full calendar can be found on our homepage. We are closed for the following holidays each year: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Do I need to bring my own bags?

We appreciate it if you are able to bring your own bags! We do have a limited supply available if you forget your bags.

How long does it take to shop?

Generally it takes about 30 minutes to shop for either food or clothing. If you are shopping for both, anticipate an hour plus possible wait time.

Do you have online ordering?

Yes! Our online ordering system allows you to select your own groceries and pick up at a time convenient to you. Click here to access the Online Order Form. Once your order is submitted, a Pantry staff member will call you to schedule a time for pick-up. We do not pull online orders unless we have a confirmed pick-up time the day of your requested pick-up.

Do I have to have an appointment to shop?

You do not need to have an appointment to shop, but you will have a shorter wait time if you can make an appointment in advance. We do accept walk-ins. As a reminder, appointment times are placeholders, not a guarantee of the time you will be able to shop.

How do I shop for just bread and produce?

To shop for Bread and Produce (B&P), come in during the last 15 minutes of shopping times. You can shop as often as you like during the month for Bread and Produce. This is a good way to stretch the items you receive from the Food Pantry. Bread and Produce times are:

Tuesdays 2:45-3:00pm

Wednesdays 7:15-7:30pm

Thursdays 7:15-7:30pm

Fridays 11:45am-12:00 noon

You may need to wait a few minutes to start B&P because all monthly shoppers are taken before B&P shoppers.

How fresh is your meat?

All of the meat we provide to neighbors comes from our grocery store partners. These stores remove the meat from their shelves and freeze it solid prior to the “freeze by” date on the package. We receive this meat frozen and check it for quality. We also distribute it frozen. Sometimes you will see a date from a few weeks ago on a meat package; rest assured, that meat has been kept frozen since prior to the “freeze by” date.