Food Pantries
COOL operates two Food Pantries in Lake County serving food to thousands residents of Lake and McHenry County each month. Pantry visitors receive a four day emergency supply of groceries based on family size – enough food to make 12 balanced meals. Visitors can return once every 30 days if need continues. Proof of identity is requested for every household member.
COOL Food Pantries serve food to over 3000 people each month. The pantries stock items for those with special dietary needs including sugar-free items, gluten-free, low salt, and baby items. Limited emergency supplies of diapers are also available.
Visitors come to COOL from communities throughout Lake County. Upon arrival pantry guests check in and will meet briefly with a COOL Staff Member or Volunteer who verifies identity, need and family size. Guests receive food based on the size of their family but each will leave with the food needed to prepare meals for four days. In addition to shelf stable items, visitors receive fresh or frozen meat or other protein and can choose from many items available daily in the pantry lobby including fresh produce breads and bakery items when available. COOL staff and volunteers do their very best to serve guests promptly upon arrival. In fact, most visitors to COOL complete their visit and leave with their food items in less than 15 minutes from the moment they arrive.
For help organizing a food drive, or for other volunteer opportunities at COOL Ministries, please call 847-662-1230 or email golson@coolministries.org.
Stocking Shelves Pantry East Lobby
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Family Housing
COOL Housing began in 1988 and is designed for families (single parents or two-parent households) who have found themselves homeless and without resources.
COOL is a program designed to give guest families an opportunity to establish their lives anew with time to find permanent housing and become self-sufficient. While staying in COOL Family Housing, guest families will work closely with a case manager. They will not only enhance their education and training but, they will also learn to budget, save money, gain life skills, obtain better employment, receive counseling and explore personal and spiritual growth.
The program is designed so that guest families will exit the program able to remain self-sufficient. COOL Family Housing has assisted over 200 families to make a new start in life and many have exited the program to become first-time home buyers!
To obtain an application, simply call 847-662-1340 or click here.
One of 12 Family/Transitional Housing Units
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Veterans Assistance
COOL Food Pantries provide additional help daily to food stamp eligible veterans. Qualified veterans receive a large grocery box loaded with soap, paper towels, laundry supplies and personal care items monthly at the COOL Food Pantries.
