online food pantry faqs

Eligibility is based on self-identified need. We do not have restrictions based on income, residency, SNAP [food stamps] eligibility, or any other specific criteria. You are welcome to shop if you self-identify that you are in need of grocery assistance.

The Food Bank is dedicated to serving people making tough choices about how to spend their limited resources to adequately meet all of their basic needs. In order to maintain our non-profit status, the IRS requires that we are intentional about how and to whom our food is distributed. By attesting, you acknowledge you are in need of our services.

Start by visiting the Order Window Page to find your nearest pick up location (or Home Delivery option) and when its order window opens each week.  Next, check the Availability Calendar to see if your preferred location is displayed and still open to receive orders.  If your preferred location is open to receive orders, then proceed to the Shop Now button to begin shopping!  

After selecting your chosen items and adding them to your shopping cart, click the “Proceed to Checkout” button.  At the checkout screen, input the required information, select your preferred location and date, and click the “Place Order” button.  *You’ll know your order was successfully submitted if the order number is displayed on the following page.

There are a few reasons why your preferred location and date are not displayed on the Availability Calendar: 1) the specific date has not opened for orders yet, 2) all spots are full, or 3) the order window has closed for processing.  Unfortunately, there are some locations whose order spots become full within hours of its order window opening.  Sites that have become full or whose order window has closed are displayed at the top of the Home Page.

Each pick up location or home delivery option has a different day and time each week when orders can begin to be placed.  These order windows are listed on our Order Window page.  

Having order windows allows our computer systems and Production Team the time needed to accurately process, pack, and transport each order.  

Orders are placed about one week ahead of time in order to provide our computer systems and Production Team the needed time to process, pack, and transport each order from our Northern Illinois Food Bank headquarters in Geneva.

As we can only fulfill a limited number of orders for each distribution date and location, shopping on My Pantry Express is limited to once a week per family. If multiple orders are submitted for the same week under the same name and e-mail address, we will automatically cancel any additional orders. 

Yes, as long as the order window is open for your preferred location and date and spots are still available, feel free to call our My Pantry Express Support Line at 630 443 6914.  *If a live person is not available, please leave a voicemail or email us at support@mypantryexpress.org.

Yes.  When placing an order for someone else, please make sure the name, email address, and phone number are unique to that order. If not, the order may be flagged as a duplicate and cancelled.

An account is not required to place an order. Although, creating an account does allow you to review your order history and cancel an order with ease.