Donation Sites
Updated 4/25/25
This is the Google Map of the donation sites and free stores in the Chicago area.
The Free Stores have a red shopping cart icon.
Recommended: please call each donation site before donating to make sure that donations are being taken and to get the most current list of accepted donations.
Strictly adhere to current needs list when donating. Items not on the list will not be accepted. This is not a general donation dump like Goodwill or Salvation Army.
Donating items requires a deliberate effort to match to specific needs. Do not bring items that have not been explicitly requested, as this burdens volunteers. Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining the efficiency and purpose of our donation process.
To effectively help new neighbors in shelters asking for donations, please let them know to speak with their shelter's case manager. These case managers can request essential items like clothing on their behalf. This approach directs them to a sustainable source of support and prevents them from becoming entangled in a non-sustainable pattern of providing aid directly, which might not be a viable long-term solution. Empowering our neighbors to advocate is essential.
North
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Category: Donation Site
616 Lake St
Evanston, IL 60201
Drop off hours: Thurs 9am - noon
Accepted donations: Kitchen Starter Pack, Winter Welcome Kits
Nuevos Vecinos Free Store
Category: Donation Site and Free Store
4750 N Sheridan
Chicago, IL 60640
Accepted donations: Please, please do not bring items that are not requested. The free store has limited room. Donations paused temporarily at Free Store on Sheridan. Limited donations accepted at satellite locations. Please consult latest flyer
Refugee Support Chicago
Category: Donation Site, Free Store Mobile Store,
Text or Call Debra for appointments to drop off at 773.343.2939
4721 N. Clark Unit 1 Do not drop off donations without an appointment.
Accepted donations: Contact for current needs.
North West
Life Impacters Foundation
Category: Donation Site
2100 N Kildare Avenue
Chicago, IL 60639
Drop off hours: Mon to Fri 10 am-6 pm
773-980-6043
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits
Category: Donation Site and Free Store
Contact via Instagram to learn how to donate or e-mail 14thdistrictnetwork@gmail.com for information on volunteering, store hours, location. .
The Parlor by The Trash People
Category: Donation Site
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square
3325 W Wrightwood
Chicago, IL 60647
Review list of accepted items before donating.
Appointment required before making donation.
hello@trashpeople.org
West
St Edmund's Church
Category: Donation Site
188 S Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302.
Phone: (708) 848-4417
Drop off hours: Monday 9-noon
Accepted donations: https://www.ascensionoakpark.com/apps/news/article/1813448
Pilsen Food Pantry/El Mercadito Gratis
Category: Donation Site, Free Store, Food Pantry
2124 S Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60608
Drop off hours: M/T/W/F 9:30am-2:30 pm
Sun 11-1pm
Volunteer at Pilsen Food Pantry!
donations@pilsenfoodpantry.com
Current Needs: Please see current list
Ward 22 Office
Category: Donation Site
Ald. M. Rodriguez
2500 S St. Louis Ave
Chicago, IL 60623
Drop off hours: Mon to Fri 9am-5pm
ward22@cityofchicago.org
773-762-1771
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits
12th District Office
Category: Donation Site
State Senator Villanueva
2501 S Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623
Drop off hours: Mon to Fri 9am-5pm
773-565-4661
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits, men's coats (M, L, XL), sweatpants, boots, and new underwear.
South
Ellis Avenue Church
Category: Donation Site and Free Store
5001 S Ellis Ave
Chicago, IL 60615
Drop off hours: Thursdays:10am - Noon
Accepted donations: Email ellisavenuechurch@gmail.com for current needs list or to volunteer.
Contact: ellisavenuechurch@gmail.com
La Tienda Gratis🌟 NEW 🌟
Category: Donation Site and Free Store
Coppin Community Center (Basement)
5627 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Chicago, IL 606153
Hours: Saturdays 10am to 1pm
Mondays 4pm to 6pm. Drop off ONLY during operating hours please.
Volunteer and Sign up
This store is a lifeline for those in need, providing them with essential items like clothing, toiletries, and a food pantry open on Mondays, completely free of charge.
11th Ward Office, Alder Nicole Lee (Drop off for 11th Ward Free Store)
Category: Donation Site
3659 S Halsted
Chicago, IL 60609
Drop off hours: Mon: 10 am-7:30 pm
Tues-Fri: 8:30am-5pm 1st Saturdays: 9a-12pm
Accepted donations: Targeted donations. See website.
Volunteer at the 11th Ward Free Store
*Free Store
Make an appointment at the Free Store if you need assistance.
Brenda’s Porch ♥️ CHI WELCOME Moderator ♥️
Category: Donation Site
5139 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60615
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits, Kitchen Kits, men's coats (M, L, XL), sweatpants, boots, and new underwear.
Contact team@chiwelcome.org for more information.
South West
Lydia’s Porch ♥️ CHI WELCOME Moderator ♥️
Category: Donation Site, Mobile Free Store
1839 S Troy St.
Chicago, IL 60623
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits, men's coats (M, L, XL), sweatpants, boots, and new underwear.
Contact team@chiwelcome.org for more information.
State Rep. Theresa Mah's Office
Category: Donation Site
2108 W 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60609
Drop off hours: Mon-Fri: 9 am-5 pm
872-281-5776
office@reptheresamah.com
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits
New Life Center Warehouse ♥️ Official Supplier at Landing Zone ♥️
Category: Donation Site
4401 W Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL 60623
Drop off hours: Mon-Fri: 9 am-5 pm
Volunteer at New Life to sort donations!
Directions:
New Life is in a large warehouse on the western corner of Ogden. The door to New Life faces the driveway. There's a small door immediately to the left when you pull into the parking lot that says New Life. Sometimes it's unlocked, sometimes you need to knock loudly, or there's a number to call. The building still has the name DIESEL on the garages.
Andre Gordillo: AndreG@newlifecenters.org
Frederick Fret: FrederickF@newlifecenters.org
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits, see list on New Life Center's website.
Far South Side
Holy Nativity Church
Category: Donation Site
9305 South Pleasant
Chicago, IL 60643
Drop off hours: Sundays 9 am-1 pm.
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits
Imago Dei Church
Category: Donation Site
10511 S Oakley
Chicago, IL 60612
Drop off hours: Tues 10 am-12 pm Thur 2 pm -5pm
seamosamigos@gmail.com ♥️ CHI WELCOME Moderator ♥️
Accepted donations: Winter Welcome Kits, other items as needed.
https://seamosamigos.help/donate Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Best Practices of Donating Clothing
Avoid donating specialty attire such as prom dresses, wedding outfits, and formal business wear.
Bring seasonally appropriate, new, or gently used items that are clean, bagged, and labeled (by gender, kind of clothing, and sizes) to collection sites/
Consider the style and appeal of the clothing. It might be unsuitable for donation if it's severely outdated.
Only donate clothing in ready-to-wear condition without any tears, stains, or damage.
If an item isn't something you would offer to a friend or wear yourself, it's best not to donate it.
What should I donate?
We recommend donating welcome welcome kits. These are bags of sorted clothes and basic supplies that enable volunteers to hand out clothing in correct sizes!
Clothing Needs
New/gently used men’s and women’s clothes (M-L most frequent sizes)
Winter coats (men's coats are an ongoing huge need!)
Sweat pants
New/gently used shoes
Winter boots
New underwear
New socks
Equipment Needs
Rolling suitcase & duffel bags
Blanket & pillows
Sleeping pads & yoga mats
CTA passes
Cellphones & SIM cards
Personal Care needs
First Aid & OTC Medication
Lice shampoo
Anti-fungal cream
Yeast infection medication
Hydrocortisone
Ibuprofen & acetaminophen
Pepto Bismol
Pedialyte/Gatorade
Children's Tylenol
Children's Cold & Cough
See a donation site not on the list? A mistake?
Contact https://bit.ly/chiquestion or email us at team AT chiwelcome.org and let us know of new donation sites or issues.