Dear neighbor,

As the weather gets colder and winter holidays approach, I wanted to share with you the “wish lists” of local organizations that are serving those people in need in our community.  While you are doing your holiday shopping or clearing out your closets, please remember these organizations.  2009 was a particularly difficult year economically for many of our neighbors, who never expected that they would need services to meet their basic needs.  Basics like non-perishable food, gently used winter clothing, and toiletries are in high demand.

Please see below for the Holiday Wish Lists at local organizations along with the time, location, and contact information for your Holiday donations.  I have a more extensive list on my website at www.senatorsteans.com/localdonations.  Feel free to forward any organization lists I may have missed to jen@heathersteans.com.

Thank you for your generosity.

HOLIDAY WISH LIST 2010

Refugee & Immigrant Community Services — Heartland Human Care Services, Inc.
4411 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
773-728-5960 x6211
Contact: Terrence Boyle

Needs:
gloves(all sizes, men’s, women’s and children’s), hats, winter coats, winter boots, winter blankets, kitchen cookware and utensils, CTA passes, gift cards to Jewel, Target, and Payless Shoes.

Any larger scale donations: twin and double beds, alternative seating (eg living room chairs or very small couches / love seats) Kitchen tables and chairs (used gratefully accepted)

A Just Harvest
7649 N. Paulina St.
Chicago, IL  60626
773-262-2297
Needs:  For food item donations, we request large / restaurant sizes. No glass containers please.  Salt / Seasoned salt, pepper (black or white) Spices: Basil, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Cinnamon and all others. Mayo, Salad Dressing (Ranch, French, Garlic, etc.), Flour, Sugar, Gravy mix, Corn Starch, Coffee, Chicken broth, liquid or powder, Beef broth, liquid or powder Canned soup, Diced, canned tomatoes, canned mushrooms, and Spaghetti sauce.
Ziploc Bags.

Asian Human Services, Inc.
4753 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 293-8448
Mental Health Department – For patients/clients: Laundry detergent, gloves, hats, scarves, hygiene products-toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, etc
Family Health Center – For patients/clients: stuffed toys, drawing books, crayons, and other giveaways
Community Health Department – For patients/clients: personal hygiene products, winter coats, mittens, hats, blankets, canned/non-perishable food, toys/books/videos/games for children, radio/CD players (reading stories books), toys and tools for physical activities
Literacy Education for Adults and Families (LEAF) – Children’s books & toys and Small tables & chairs

Care For Real
6044 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL  60660
773-769-6182
Donations accepted Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9am-12pm
Needs:  canned goods, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in good condition, bread, holiday meal items, unwrapped new children’s toys.

Chicago Uptown Ministries
4720 N. Sheridan Rd
Chicago IL 60640
(773) 271-3760
Mon.  8:30 am – 4pm, Tues. 9-4, Wed 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, Thurs & Fri 9-4
Contact: Charles Hawkins
Needs: meats, canned goods, non-perishable food items

Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, Children’s Services
2542 W. North Ave.
Chicago, 60647
773-365-7277
Contact:  Aline Schultz or Katherine Ward
Open 9:00 AM to 8:00 pm Mon. – Fri. and Sat 9am-1pm
Need: Art supplies for kids ages 0-17, games, books,

Cornerstone Outreach Pantry
4628 N Clifton Ave
Chicago IL 60640
(773) 271-8163
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat. 10-6 to drop off donations
Contact: Steve
Needs:  turkeys, canned goods, non-perishable food, adult & children clothing, toiletries

Heartland Alliance-Marjorie Kovler Center
Refugee Assistance
kovler@heartlandalliance.org
1331 West Albion Avenue
Chicago IL 60626
773-381-4070

Housing Opportunities for Women
1607 W. Howard
Chicago, IL  60626
773-465-5770
Contact Kim, ext. 253 or Jen, ext. 240
Holiday/Winter Wish List, consisting of the following items in new or good condition:
Extended size Women’s winter coats (XL, 2XL, 3XL), Hats, scarves, gloves for women and children, New toys for children ages birth-12, $10 gift cards to Target (gifts for teens), Jewel gift cards (gifts for mothers)
Home starter kits, consisting of the following items in new or good condition:
Coffee maker, Toaster, Kitchenware (excluding Tupperware and other storage containers), Table settings for four, Towel sets, Linens, Lamps, Small electronics (alarm clocks, stereos, microwaves, etc.)
Items for after-school and recreational programming are also accepted, including:
Children’s and young adult’s books, Study guides, New or gently used toys, Back-packs, and School supplies.

Howard Area Community Center
7648 N. Paulina St.
Mon-Fri 9-5
Contact Nicole Thomas  773-262-6622 x.236 or volunteers@howardarea.org
Call ahead to arrange to drop off donations
Needs:   Holiday Sharing Program-donors obtain lists of families and requested items.
New adult and children’s clothing with tags or very lightly used items
Non-perishable food

Inspiration Corporation
4554 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL  60640
773-878-0981 ext. 221
Needs:  $20 gift cards to Jewel, Dominick’s, CVS, Target, Walgreens; food pantry items including non-perishable foods, canned goods especially high protein foods such as peanut butter, tuna, beans.

Japanese American Service Committee
4427 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL  60640
773-275-0097
Contact:  Jered Pruitt ext. 237
Needs:
One refrigerator – commercial grade
One vacuum cleaner – heavy duty
One desktop computer – minimum requested 2.2GZ, 2GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW, monitor
Several new window blinds – various sizes (contact JASC)
Four tables – 8 foot folding
Six Office chairs
Three small office desks
One bookshelf unit, 3-5 shelves high

The Night Ministry
4711 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL  60640
Contact David Weasley 773-506-6004
Drop off hours:  Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Call ahead to inquire about donating items other than those listed below.
Needs:  gift cards for Subway, McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Jewel, Dominick’s, CVS, Walgreens, deodorant; white socks, diapers sizes 4-5

Northside Housing and Supportive Services
Homeless services, shelter
835 W. Addison, basement knock on door Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
(773)327-1389
Contact:  Joi Rodriguez
Needs: Winter coats for adult men, condiments for meals, dish soap, laundry detergent

Our Lady of Lourdes
4641 N Ashland Ave
Chicago IL 60640
(773) 561-2141
Mon – Fri 9am12pm and 1pm-8pm. Sat. 9-4
Contact: Joanne
Come to Rectory at 4640 N. Ashland, ring to drop off donations
Needs:  Gift Cards for McDonalds, Burger King, CVS, Target, Jewel, Dominick’s.

REST
941 W. Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60640
Call Kari 773-784-0909 9am-5pm
Needs:  New underwear for men & women, a variety of sizes, socks, warm winter adult clothing, women’s blue jeans, small size toiletries, back packs and tote bags

Sarah’s Circle
4750 N Sheridan Road # 220
Chicago, IL 60640
773 -728-1014 ext 313
Contact:  Ella Phillips
Call ahead to drop donations
Needs:  body lotion, make-up, women’s hygiene products, first aid kits, travel size toiletries, toothbrushes, women’s winter coats, hats, gloves and other seasonal clothing

St. Ignatius Church
6559 N. Glenwood
773-764-5936
Contact:  Kathy Morris ext. 14
Mon-Fri 9am-8pm
Sat. 9am-3:30pm
Sun 9am-1:30 pm
Needs:  Food items for food pantry:  soups, tuna, tomato sauce, tomato paste, 1-2 lb. rice, 1lb. pasta, peanut butter, jelly, hot cocoa, granola, coffee, tea, juice, syrup, cookies

St. Thomas of Canterbury
Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry
4827 N. Kenmore
Chicago, IL  60640
773-878-5507
Mon-Fri 8:30-5
Come to Rectory next door to the church, ring bell
Needs:  Canned goods, non-perishable foods, winter hats, socks, small size toiletries, and gloves

Thresholds
4101 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 572-5500
Items can be dropped off during business hours. 8am-6pm
Needs:  Winter Clothing, larger sized clothes, Men’s socks, Personal Care Products, Non-perishable Foods, and Feminine care Products

United Church of Rogers Park, Soup Kitchen
1545 W Morse Ave
Chicago IL 60626
773-761-2500
Contact: Deacon Dorr or Church Administrator
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Call ahead to drop off donations
Needs: toys, gift cards to grocery stores for Holiday Cheer Program

Uptown Baptist Church
1011 W. Wilson Ave.
Chicago, IL  60640
773-784-2922
Contact: Yien
Donations accepted Mondays 12pm-7pm
Needs:  Non-perishable foods, Styrofoam cups and plates, blankets, coats