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Reduce Energy Costs
Illinois Shines Program
Between Friends Food Pantry and the Northern Illinois Food Bank would like to share a new opportunity available to community organizations and households through the Illinois Shines Program, a state-sponsored solar initiative designed to help reduce monthly energy costs.
Through this program, eligible participants can enroll in a local community solar project and receive credits applied directly to their monthly ComEd bill—without installing rooftop panels or paying any upfront costs.
How It Works
Participants are matched with a local Illinois solar farm. As the project generates energy, participants earn solar credits that are applied to their ComEd bill, helping lower monthly utility costs.
Program Benefits
Save 10–20% on monthly energy costs
No sign-up fees or hidden costs
Keep your existing utility service – ComEd continues delivering power
No rooftop installation required
Flexible participation – subscriptions can be canceled or transferred if circumstances change
Enrollment is completely voluntary
Ways to Participate
Option 1: Email Your Utility Bill
Send a photo of a current utility bill to:
An Edify specialist will review the bill and provide a free savings estimate.
Option 2: Call for Assistance
Call the Edify help line at 331-313-8207 to ask questions, receive a savings estimate, and enroll if interested.
Please note: ***Participation does not impact eligibility for pantry services or other assistance programs.
Summer Food Assistance
Kane County Health Department
In addition to Between Friends Food Pantry, Families can also access free summer meals and fresh produce for children through the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Any child is eligible to receive a meal, and many distributions also include fresh fruits and vegetables. Find a nearby mobile food distribution or summer meal site:
Summer Meals and Child Nutrition Programs
Families with school-aged children may be eligible for grocery benefits during the summer.
Summer EBT provides families with a monthly grocery benefit to feed their children for three summer months (June, July, August), when children are not receiving free or reduced-price meals at school.
Learn how to receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each child
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to healthcare and community resources for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and children under age 5. Kane County residents can access WIC services through:
