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 2009
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.

Need: Toys and Games for Children 0-17, under $25.  Suggested items: Art
supplies, games, books, journals, dolls,  toy cars, MP3 players,
developmental learning toys for children 0-5 years of age.

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

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

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

Howard Area Community Center
7648 N. Paulina St.
Mon-Fri 9-5
Contact Eddie:  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

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

Good News Community Kitchen
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, Spaghetti sauce.
Ziplock Bags.

The Give a Toy – Change a Life Holiday Project
The Urban Coaster community newspaper is teaming up with the Department of Children and Family Services to help make this holiday season a little brighter for some of the over 19,000 children in the DCFS system.

The Give a Toy – Change a Life Holiday Project will be handing out toy requests from children throughout the Chicago area.  The request slips will each include the age, sex and requested toy for one child.

All you have to do is choose a card for a child of the age, sex, and toy request – that you would like to help.  You purchase the toy (at a cost of about $25.00), wrap it if you like, and securely attach the request card to the outside of the present.

The deadline is Monday, December 14th, at 5:00pm. The children’s cards can be obtained by contacting Jim at either james@theurbancoaster.com, or by calling or texting 773-494-6620.

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

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

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.

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, paint, bread, holiday meal items.

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, hates, 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

Thresholds
4101 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 572-5500
Items can be dropped off during business hours.
Needs:  Men’s socks, Personal Care Products, Non-perishable Foods, Feminine care Products

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

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

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

Our Lady of Lourdes
4641 N Ashland Ave
Chicago IL 60640
(773) 561-2141
Mon – Fri 9am-9pm Sat. 9-4
Contact: Joanne
Come to Rectory at 4640 N. Ashland, ring to drop off donations
Needs:  men’s warm winter clothing, turkeys, hams, lunch food items for food pantry

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.

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, first aid kits, travel size toileteries, toothbrushes, women’s winter coats, hats, gloves and other seasonal clothing

The Night Ministry
4711 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL  60640
Contact Julie Delezenne 773-506-6004
Drop off hours:  Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Call ahead to inquire about donating items other than those listed below.
Needs:  $5 Subway gift cards, travel size toothpaste & toothbrushes, deodorant; white socks, diapers sizes 4-5