Nearly 2 million Illinois residents use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to help buy food. But SNAP benefits were set to lapse on Nov. 1 amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Two federal judges on Friday said the Trump administration must tap into contingency funds to make payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the government shutdown, ruling against the government in a pair of suits over the lapse in SNAP benefits.

Meanwhile, food banks, mutual aid groups, private companies, local farmers and more are mobilizing to make sure Illinoisans can still feed their families. 

Nadia Jimenez, who leads the Friendship Center food pantry in Ravenswood, said that anxiety has swept the front and back of the pantry as they try to keep the shelves stocked to meet increasing demand. Home delivery options have also risen for the pantry for those worried about immigration operations in the area.

As for the latest federal update on partially funding SNAP benefits following judges' rulings, Jiménez said, "My first initial reaction is I'll believe it when I see it." 

Below is a list of some of the resources available in the Chicago area and Northern Illinois for people whose benefits have lapsed.

With the increase in demand for help from residents whose benefits have lapsed, there is also an increased need at food banks and food pantries for donations, either monetary or of food. If you can, consider donating to help these organizations help the community while SNAP benefits are not available. 

"We Got You Illinois" virtual food locator 

The "We Got You Illinois" website has an interactive map with a full list of food pantries, meal programs, and food distribution partners throughout the city and Cook County.

Some of the many participating organizations include LaSalle Neighbors, Breaking Bread Ministries, Harvest Hub Lincoln Park, Care For Friends, New Seed Pantry, Ravenswood Community Services, Manna For Life, and A Safe Haven Foundation. 

You can search by location to find organizations nearby that offer meals. 

Greater Chicago Food Depository

The Greater Chicago Food Depository will be offering additional distribution on Saturdays.

Community partners are setting up additional hubs to operate on Saturdays in November at the following locations: 

Free-N-Deed Market
14200 S Martin Luther King Dr, Dolton, IL
Saturday | November 1 | 10 a.m.

Grace and Peace
1856 N LeClaire Ave, Chicago, IL
Saturday | November 1 | 10 a.m.

Harmony Community Cares
1908 S Millard Ave, Chicago, IL
Saturday | November 1 | 10 a.m.

St. Sabina
1210 W 78th Place, Chicago
Saturday | November 1 | 10 a.m.

Nourishing Hope - Ravenswood
5151 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL
Saturday | November 1 | 12 p.m.

Sankofa Food Market
901 E 95th Street, Chicago, IL
Saturday | November 1 | 12 p.m.

Pre-packaged boxes of groceries will be available.   

The depository also has resources to find food pantries near you and food distributions any day of the week.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

The Northern Illinois Food Bank has over 900 food pantries, mobile food truck markets and soup kitchens in Northern Illinois to get food and pantry staples to people in need of assistance. 

Anyone in need of assistance can find resources and food at their website. 

Chicagoland Food Sovereignty Coalition Mutual Aid Groups

The Chicagoland Food Sovereignty Coalition connects Chicago residents with mutual aid networks and organizations providing meals, groceries and other community-based support throughout the city. Click here to see mutual aid groups on the North, West and South Sides, as well as groups serving the entire city of Chicago.

Food assistance online directory FindHelp.org

FindHelp.org helps connect people to free or reduced-cost resources for food and a variety of other needs like housing, health care and financial assistance by zip code.

Search your zip code on their website, and you can find everything from community gardens and food delivery to food pantries and emergency food. You can also get information on other programs to help pay for groceries and meal delivery services for people who cannot grocery shop on their own. 

Instacart, DoorDash offer discounts for SNAP recipients

Several large grocery and food delivery companies are offering major discounts and help for SNAP recipients.

Instacart is offering any customer who used their SNAP or EBT card on a grocery order in October a 50% discount on their next grocery order from any store that accepts SNAP/EBT payments. The company is also expanding its Community Carts Campaign nationwide, increasing its food bank support from 100 food banks to 300 food banks.

Instacart is also running an online food drive to support Chicago area food banks, including the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository and more.

DoorDash announced it is launching an emergency response to the lapse in SNAP funding by waiving all merchant fees for more than 300 Project DASH partner food banks, food pantries and community organizations for the month of November. They are also waiving delivery and service fees for 300,000 grocery orders for SNAP recipients. 

The company said it will also donate fresh food, shelf-stable items and household essentials from its DashMarts to local food banks in affected communities.

Gopuff is also offering discounts for SNAP recipients, providing $50 off groceries in two waves through November. From Nov. 1-15 use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery. From Nov. 16-30, use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery.

Restaurants offering free meals in Chicago and suburbs

Some Chicago area restaurants and farmers markets are also offering free or heavily discounted meals during the lapse. Here is a list of where you can find a free restaurant meal.

Manny's Deli - Near West Side

Manny's Deli is offering free family meals to anyone whose SNAP benefits have lapsed for the first week of November. 

"Starting Monday, we are offering to anyone who comes in and shows us their SNAP Card that we will make you a family meal for you to eat here or to-go," Manny's Deli said in an Instagram post. 

The deli is located at 1141 S. Jefferson St. 

Chesa's Bistro and Bar - Avondale

Chesa's Bistro and Bar in Avondale will provide hot meals to anyone in need on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. In a post to Instagram, the restaurant said they will "keep this going as long as we need to so no one goes hungry."

Chesa's is located at 3235 W. Addison St., Suite C

October Cafe - Norwood Park

October Cafe in Norwood Park will provide free meals between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. for the month of November. 

October Cafe is located at 6046 N. Avondale Ave. 

The Stopalong - Wicker Park and Logan Square

Show your SNAP card at either location of The Stopalong and you'll get a free 16-inch pizza for either dine-in or takeout. The restaurant is asking people refrain from calling about the help. 

The free pizza will be available from Nov. 1 through Nov. 16. 

The Stopalong Wicker Park is located at 1812 N. Milwaukee Ave. 

The Stopalong Logan Square is located at 2210 N. California Ave. 

Penelope's Vegan Taqueria - Near North Side, Andersonville, Pilsen

Starting Nov. 1, all locations of Penelope's Vegan Taqueria will provide free meals Monday through Thursday, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., to children and pregnant women until SNAP and WIC benefits are restored.

Guidelines include one meal per child and the expecting mother, and the child and/or expecting mother must be present to get the deal. 

Kids can choose between a Taco Dorado meal or two single quesadillas. Both options come with rice, beans, corn and an agua fresca. Expecting mothers can choose between an enchiladas dinner and a taco dorado dinner, with an agua fresca. 

Penelope's Vegan Taqueria Near North Side is located at 230 W. Chicago Ave. 

Penelope's Vegan Taqueria Pilsen is located at 1165 W. 18th St.

Penelope's Vegan Taqueria Andersonville is located at 5204 N. Clark St. 

Paulie Gee's - Logan Square

Paulie Gee's Logan Square pizzeria is offering free food for furloughed government employees and people whose SNAP benefits have lapsed. 

SNAP recipients can show their SNAP card and matching ID and Paulie Gee's will give them a free kids cheese pizza for their children.

Furloughed government workers can purchase the pizzeria's Monday special of any woodfired pizza with a selected beer/soda and a house shot for $17 any day of the week with their government job photo ID. 

The restaurant said they will keep these deals going as long as they can.

Paulie Gee's Logan Square is located at 2451 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Wooden Paddle - Lemont and La Grange

Wooden Paddle woodfired pizzeria, with locations in Lemont and La Grange, is giving out free lunch to anyone whose SNAP benefits have lapsed. 

Free lunches are available for carry-out between 11:30 a.m.and 3 p.m. for all of November. To get the deal, you just have to show them your SNAP card. 

You can also donate to Wooden Paddle to help keep the free lunch offer going. 

Wooden Paddle Lemont is located at 212 Stephen St.

Wooden Paddle La Grange is located at 23 Calendar Ave. 

Kale My Name - Albany Park

Kale My Name is offering free meals plus a soft drink between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., for both dine-in and take-out options. 

If you don't need a free meal but what to support, the restaurant says you can also purchase an $11 meal for someone in need. 

Kale My Name is located at 3300 W. Montrose Ave. 

Soul Food Lounge - Lawndale

Soul Food Lounge is offering free meals every Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. You can also donate to a fundraiser to help provide meals for others. 

Soul Food Lounge is located at 2804 W. 16th St.