In addition to the many food banks and food pantries throughout Will County – go to this website to find ones closet to you – various government agencies and organizations are holding their own food drives and distributions to help those in need as November SNAP benefits lag with the government shutdown.

Food pantries already are reporting higher demand as people struggle to meet rising food and energy costs.

Through Dec. 19

Joliet Police Department

The Joliet Police Department is partnering with The Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center for its annual holiday food drive: Patrol for Hunger!

This holiday season, now through Dec. 19, the police are collecting non-perishable food items to help Joliet-area individuals and families in need.

“Every food donation helps to make a very real difference right here in our community,” the Joliet Police Department said in announcing the program.

Donations can be made at both the main downtown police station, 150 W. Washington St., and at the west side police station, 7196 Caton Farm Road.

As in past years, the police department is seeking Joliet-area businesses to join in, hosting a food collection box at their locations.

If your business would like to participate, contact Sgt. English at denglish@joliet.gov or by calling 815-724-3202.

The police department will help supply signage and collection boxes.

Nov. 17 and 21

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet will be holding mobile food pantries on three different dates in three different locations.

The Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet Mobile Food Pantry delivers healthy food to people in need. All Mobile Food Pantries distribute food through a drive-thru. Please clear space in your trunk or backseat so volunteers can load food boxes directly into your vehicle – rain, snow or shine.

The diocese mobile food pantry will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 17 at St. Lawrence parish, 165 Rice Road, in South Wilmington.

The diocese will distribute food from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 21 at St. Joseph parish in Bradley, 211 N. Center Ave.

Through Nov. 21

Joliet Public Library

The Joliet Public Library is hosting a food drive through Nov. 21 to benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Nonperishable items are requested, including canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, rice, cereal, soups and beans.

Collection boxes will be present in the foyers of both library branches.

Nov. 15

Joliet Hands of Hope Thanksgiving Food Giveaway

Hands of Hope will be hosting its Thanksgiving Food Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at 511 Oakleaf Court in Joliet.

For information, visit the Hands of Hope of Illinois Facebook page, call 630-886-1553 or sign up for email alerts by sending an email to hopespecialalerts@gmail.com.

Student volunteers: Joliet Township High School District 204 students needing community service hours are encouraged to volunteer for this amazing community event. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Ms. Marilu by calling 630-886-1553 or by sending an email to marilu@handsofhope4u.org. View the volunteer flyer for information.

Ongoing

Jewel Osco Bolingbrook

Jewel Osco in Bolingbrook, 1200 W. Boughton Road, has designated its 2025 Holiday Bucks program to the DuPage Township Food Pantry.

Now through December, customers can donate “holiday bucks” in increments of $1, $5 or $10 when they check out at Jewel, which the store will then give to the pantry to purchase turkey and ham dinners for families who utilize the food pantry.