Barb Food Mart is funded by grants and private donations, with its largest stable funding source the donations coming directly from the paychecks of DeKalb School District employees.

With only a handful of part-time employees, the pantry's weekly distribution is powered by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Barb Food Mart is incredibly convenient because it is a walk up or drive through food pantry. ​ Families can order online for pick up that week. Online ordering opens Sunday at 7pm. If families are unable or do not want to order online, mixed grocery boxes are also available.

Barb Food Mart regularly partners with other community organizations to provide additional services and resources. Northwestern Medicine visits the pantry to provide flu shots and blood pressure checks, the League of Women Voters runs a voter registration drive on site, and families were able to pick up winter gear before the weather turned cold thanks to Maddie's Mitten March.