In-Kind Giving

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry always needs donations of non-perishable food items delivered during our hours of operation (see below). High-protein items are especially beneficial. 

*** A food drive by your school or civic group is a great way to provide this.

OUR TOP NEEDS:

• Breakfast cereal (hot & cold)

• Pasta

• Pancake mixes & Syrup

• Rice

• Canned and Dry Beans (especially Black and Garbanzo)

• Lentils

• Canned Fruits

• Pasta Sauce

• Canned meals - Chili, beef stew etc.

• Tuna

• Canned Tomatoes

• Canned Corn

Other Items we always appreciate:

• Peanut butter and jelly

• Hearty nutritious soups

• Canned vegetables

• Baking mixes & frosting

Fresh produce harvested from your garden is welcomed in season.

The Food Pantry gets most of its food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank where it can acquire $8 worth of groceries for every $1 spent, so please consider a financial donation.

First Things First

First Things First welcomes donations of baby items during our hours of operation (see below).

*** Consider doing a diaper drive

*** Use your Kohl’s Cash to purchase clothing items, especially larger sizes.

• Diapers (especially sizes 4, 5 & 6) & Pull-Ups

• Baby wipes, baby wash, baby lotion & diaper cream

• Clean, gently used clothes for sizes newborn to 5T. We especially need spring & summer clothes for the coming season.

• Board books and early readers

• Infant and early childhood toys and small baby equipment including high chairs, play mats, etc.

  No car seats, cribs, strollers or used stuffed toys please

Clothes Closet

The Clothes Closet always needs new or gently-used adult and children’s clothing 5T and above delivered during our hours of operation (see below):

• Spring and summer clothes for children of all ages from 0-16, clean and new or gently used.

• All types and sizes of clothing, especially for the current or upcoming season, clean and new or gently used

• Shoes and boots

• Outerwear, including winter coats and gloves

We also welcome donations of Kohls Cash which we can use to purchase needed clothing items.

Walk-In Assistance

Have a gift card you don’t need? We can always use gift cards to purchase items for distribution to our guests. These can be delivered during our hours of operation (see below).

A common need, not covered by government food assistance, is cleaning supplies:

• Hygiene items

• Multi-purpose cleaning solutions and sprays

• Laundry detergent and bleach

• Dish detergent

• Disinfecting wipes