Free Groceries In Joliet On Saturday: Here's What You Need To Do

JOLIET, IL — The Northern Illinois Food Bank informed Joliet Patch that it is holding a free grocery distribution in Joliet this weekend, and the organization trying to get the word out to neighbors in need.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is holding its free pop up grocery distribution event at Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Road, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Groceries will be distributed to 700 families in a drive-thru model. First come, first served until supplies last. Food is loaded into cars by local volunteers. No ID or registration required.

On Saturday at Joliet Junior College:

• A total of 40,000 lbs. of food will be distributed in Joliet to families in need.
• Each household will receive 50 to 60 lbs of food.
• 1.5 – 2 full semi-truckloads of food from Northern Illinois Food Bank will be distributed at the Pop-up this weekend.
• According to Northern Illinois Food Bank; "Inflation, rising food costs and the ending of the emergency government benefits are driving nearly 500,000 neighbors per month to seek assistance from the Northern Illinois Food Bank pantries and programs. To help neighbors in Joliet, Northern Illinois Food Bank will be distributing free groceries this weekend at a PopUp Mobile Market event.

What is a PopUp mobile market?

• A popup mobile market is when two or two truckloads of food arrive on location in a community for a short period of time and get distributed to neighbors.
• Local volunteers unload and distribute food to neighbors in a drive thru model. Mobile markets typically last two hours and provide individuals with common grocery items such as breads, cereals, meat, dairy and fresh produce. Items will vary depending on availability.