Basic Needs
Support for Everyday Needs
On This Page: Transportation | Kish Food Pantry | Community Food Pantries | Housing Support & Resources
Kishwaukee College connects students with resources that support life beyond the classroom. Find help with food access, housing and homelessness resources, transportation and other essential needs.
Public Transportation
Getting to campus shouldn’t be a barrier. Kishwaukee College partners with local transit providers to offer free or low-cost transportation for students.
- Available to students enrolled in 3+ credit hours, GED®, ESL, or short-term training
- Valid for DeKalb-area transit (TransVAC) and Rochelle-area transit (RMTD)
- Campus pickup/drop-off at Door 61
DeKalb & Surrounding Communities
TransVAC provides shared-ride transportation between Kishwaukee College and surrounding communities, including DeKalb, Sycamore, Genoa, and more.
What students need to know
- Service areas include DeKalb, Sycamore, Genoa, Kirkland, Shabbona, and Somonauk
- Pickup and drop-off at Door 61
- Students must register with TransVAC before riding
How to get started
- Complete the TransVAC registration form
- Submit your Kishwaukee College class schedule
- Receive your E-Pass (used as your bus pass)
Questions? Call 815-758-3932 or email dispatch@vacdk.org
Students with consistent schedules may qualify for TransVAC’s Subscription Service for recurring rides.
Key points
- Available after two weeks of consistent ridership
- Limited to 100 riders
- Reduces the need to schedule individual trips
Important note
No-shows may result in warnings or temporary suspension of service.
- Do I schedule rides during my first two weeks? Yes
- How do subscriptions work after the two-week period? Students will be notified by email or phone. Others may need to continue scheduling rides
- Is there a rider limit? Yes, 100 subscriptions
- Do I need a physical bus pass? No, TransVAC uses your name/E-Pass
- What if my class schedule is not-standard (hybrid, once-a-month, or cloased days)? Contact TrasnsVac directly with dates and times.
Rochelle Area Transportation
Review route details, bus pass information and contact options for Rochelle-area transportation services.
Service overview
- Monday–Thursday:
- 8:00 am drop-off
- 4:10 pm pickup at Door 61
- Friday: Demand/Response service available
Bus passes
- Required for the semester
- Available at the Business Office (C2140)
Contact RMTD
Call 815-288-2117 for reservations and questions—or fill out the form
Kody’s Cupboard Food Pantry
Current Kishwaukee College students, as well as Illinois High School Diploma and English as a Second Language students.
- Hours: 9 am-2 pm
- Days: Mondays and Tuesdays
- Location: Kody’s Cupboard Food Pantry, C1120
- How: We’ve made it easy to access what you need. Visit during pantry hours or preorder your items for a convenient pickup on Tuesdays—just complete the preorder order form to select your items and pickup time.
- What's In Kody's Cupboard?
- Nonperishable food items
- Toiletries
- Feminine hygiene products
- And more (based on availability)
Community Food Pantries
Explore food pantry locations and support resources available in the Kishwaukee College district and surrounding communities.
DeKalb community members can access multiple food pantries throughout the city to help meet household needs. Most pantries ask for a photo ID, and each has different residency rules and limits on how often you can visit.
Sycamore offers several local food pantries providing groceries and essentials to residents in need. Most pantries ask for a photo ID, and each has different residency rules and limits on how often you can visit.
Neighboring communities also offer food pantry services to support individuals and families outside the Sycamore and DeKalb areas. Most pantries ask for a photo ID, and each has different residency rules and limits on how often you can visit.
My Express Pantry provides a free online shopping guide for groceries in the DeKalb and North Chicago areas.
SNAP
The Illinois Department of Human Services Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people with low incomes buy food at grocery or convenience stores. Student eligibility includes:
- Students receiving the maximum Pell Grant with an expected family contribution of $0 in the current academic year. Learn more about student SNAP benefits.
- Students participating in state or federally financed work-study programs during the regular academic year, as determined by the higher education institution.
Eligible students can apply with the Application for Benefits Eligibility or contact their local office for more information.
DeKalb County
DHS Family Community Resource Center
Family Community Resource Center
1629 Afton Road
Sycamore, IL 60178
Phone: 815-895-8667
TTY: 866-322-8423
Fax: 815-895-8679
Ogle County
DHS Family Community Resource Center
Family Community Resource Center
1001 Pines Road
Oregon, IL 61061
Phone: 815-732-2166
TTY: 866-323-4144
Fax: 815-732-4223
Housing Support
Kishwaukee College does not offer on-campus housing, but we provide resources to help students find off-campus options and connect with support when housing becomes a challenge.
Note: Kishwaukee College does not approve, endorse, or recommend any off-campus housing providers.
If you’re experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, support is available. Kish has a designated House Liaison to help connect students with resources and next steps.
Complete the H.U.B. Referral Form
Housing Resources
Local databases and guides can help you compare rental options and plan your move.
- NIU Housing Resources (moving tips, roommate agreements, storage/moving info, subsidized housing, and more)
- Northern Star Housing Guide (annual guide)
- Daily Chronicle Classifieds (local rental listings)
- Century 21 Elsner Realty (courtesy list of rentals)
Phone: 815-756-1691
Address: 901 N. First St., DeKalb, IL
- Century 21 Elsner Realty (courtesy list of rentals)
- Illinois Housing Development Authority (CBRAP) — emergency rental assistance for eligible applicants (up to $10,000)
The listings below are provided for convenience. Availability, pricing, and eligibility may change.
- Cortland Estates — Cortland
- Laing Management — DeKalb & Sycamore
- Townsend Management — DeKalb & Sycamore
- Suburban Apartments & Estates — DeKalb
- University Plaza — Student-focused housing near NIU
If you need immediate housing support, these community services may be able to help.
DeKalb County
- Hope Haven — 1145 Rushmoore Dr., DeKalb, IL 60115 — 815-758-5765
- Safe Passage — P.O. Box 621, DeKalb, IL 60115 — 815-756-7930
Ogle County
- HOPE (Domestic Violence Shelter) — Rochelle, IL
- 24/7 Hotline: 815-562-8890
- Business: 815-562-4323
- Rochelle Rescue Mission — 805 W. Lincoln Ave., Rochelle, IL 61068 — 815-561-2731
For additional emergency and transitional housing options, visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website.