By Sheila Elliott
As the year draws to a close, our attention often turns to those less fortunate. Many local organizations help those in need not just in December but throughout the year. With little fanfare, they get the job done and, by making life better for the needy, make life better for us all.
Gazette Chicago readers can help, and our annual Spirit of Giving section, which we have published since 1985, tells them how they can get involved. This section also allows those who need help to find support and services and gives readers who know someone in need the tools to make a difference.
The office of Ald. George Cardenas (12th) is sponsoring a toy drive for children who might otherwise not have a gift to enjoy this holiday season. Get details, including intended age groups and dates and times for gift drop offs, by calling (312) 773-8250. The office is located at 3476 S. Archer Ave.
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) is collecting donations of new toys for children from infancy up through age 12 until Monday, Dec. 12. Donations should be new toys, unwrapped. Drop off your gift during business hours Monday through Friday at the alderwoman’s office, 5046 S. State St. Call (773) 373–9273 for further information.
The multilingual literacy programs at Aquinas Literacy Center at 1751 W. 35th St. face a continued need for adults to donate time to serve as tutors in the center’s adult English as a Second Language programs. The Literacy Center provides training and seeks donations of English language books for the lending library it is establishing. The center accepts all book genres but has a special need for easy readers appropriate for adult learners. For more information, call (773) 927-0512 or visit https://aquinasliteracycenter.org/.
Association House of Chicago, 1116 N. Kedzie Ave., seeks volunteers for holiday toy drive gift wrapping, helping people with mock interviews, career mentorship, and programs for youngsters. Call (773) 772-7170 or on to www.associationhouse.org/volunteer.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is organizing its annual Celebration of Giving to help metro Chicago families and individuals in Cook and Lake Counties. It will accept donations of toys until Monday, Dec. 5, at several locations, including the main office at 721 N. LaSalle St. and sites in Des Plaines and Cicero, and invites individuals to volunteer to help sort the many toys collected. The organization also offers the chance to sponsor an entire family and welcomes monetary contributions. For more details, call (312) 655-7401 or log on to https://www.catholiccharities.net/.
Deborah’s Place, 2822 W. Jackson Blvd., continues to work with clients facing the costly challenges of establishing stable housing for themselves and their families, including the expense of purchasing basic household items such as cleaning supplies, toiletries, household linens/bedding, and other essentials. A list of items clients commonly need is on the website at www.debortahsplace.org. The organization also welcomes gift cards for these purchases. Call (773) 722-5080 for more information.
The Foundation for Culinary Arts, 1016 W. Jackson Blvd., inspires and empowers socially and economically disadvantaged students through educational programming and career advancement opportunities in the culinary industry. The non-profit is always accepting contributions to help fund its Yes, Chef! culinary camps, which take place throughout the year for Chicago Public Schools high school students. Call (312) 752-2352 or log on to https://foundationforculinaryarts.org/.
Gad’s Hill, 1919 W. Cullerton St., is working to make sure as many children as possible have a special toy or gift to help make their holiday memorable. While the program focuses on children from infancy through age five, Gad’s Hill welcomes donations of new toys for children of all ages. Gifts should be new, unwrapped, have an educational focus, and be culturally competent and gender neutral. Take all donated gifts to the Gad’s Hill center during business hours in time to be distributed before the holidays. For further information, call (312) 226-0963 or log on to www.gadhillcenter.org.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 Ann Lurie Dr., is recruiting volunteers to help with a food collection and distribution program benefiting the entire Chicago area and beyond. Sign up online to help with the many varied tasks involved in this program by using the signup sheet on the GCFD website. Also, consider a financial contribution to help GCFD finance food purchases not just at holiday time but throughout the year. Call (773) 247-3663 (FOOD) or visit chicagofoodbank.org.
Haymarket Center, 932 W. Washington Blvd., is seeking donations of new warm clothing for adults, or used clothing in very good condition, as well as personal care products. Haymarket Center has posted a wish list on Amazon where people interested in helping can make donations or assist in other ways. Check out Haymarket’s website to learn more. Call (312) 226-4357.
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., continues to seek individuals interested in volunteering for the array of programs they offer to their young clients—many of whom have personal histories involving life altering trauma. Financial contributions help keep these programs afloat, so monetary contributions remain the primary need. Anyone interested in donating a few hours to help young people or ensure Mercy’s tutoring, mentoring, and life preparation programs remain available is invited to call (312) 738-7560 or visit the website at mercyhome.org.
The Cooking Ministry of Our Lady of the Holy Family Parish at 1335 W. Harrison St. seeks volunteers interested in helping prepare meals and other edible treats for the Love Fridge, a freestanding refrigerator near the intersection of 18th Street and Blue Island Avenue. For food preparation hours and dates, see the parish’s website at olhfchi.org.
This year, the parish also is sponsoring an Angel Tree, located inside the church, allowing individuals to select one of the many tags decorating the tree; each tag bears the name, age, and gift wish of a needy individual. Participants then shop for that person and leave the donated gift at the church, under the tree, in time for holiday distribution. The church is located at 1334 W. Flournoy St. Weekend Masses are at 5 p.m. on Saturday (English) and 9 a.m. (English) and 11:30 a.m. (Spanish) on Sunday.
OLHF offers a Friday Food Pantry for area residents facing food shortages. If you need food, contact the parish office to register or come to the pantry, located behind the church at 1334 W. Flournoy St., on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
To learn more, call (312) 243-7400.
St. Matthew Lutheran Church’s El Comedor San Mateo Soup Kitchen, 2108 W. 21st St., offers a hot lunch for those in need on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. in the parish hall adjacent to the church. This free program always needs monetary contributions to assure everyone enjoys a flavorful, well prepared, nutritious meal not just during the holiday season but throughout the year. To contribute or help, call (773) 847-6458.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii Church is sponsoring an auxiliary toy drive, with donations distributed to a domestic abuse shelter. Donated items should be new or very gently used and can include DVDs for children, books, board games, dolls, sports equipment, card games, and small stuffed animals. Drop donations off at the shrine, 1224 W. Lexington St., after the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Masses on the Sundays of Dec. 4 and 11. To learn more, call (312) 421-3757 or see the shrine’s website at https://ourladyofpompeii.org/.
ReVive Center supports individuals who need housing or other assistance by helping them obtain IDs and employment training. ReVive’s Emergency Center provides services for the homeless, introducing them to supportive services provided by case managers, occupational therapists, and others who can help them re-establish their lives. ReVive welcomes monetary donations for these programs during the holiday season and throughout the year. To donate or learn more, visit www.ReViveCenter.org or call (312) 997-2222. ReVive is located at 1668 W. Ogden Ave.
St. James Church, 2907 S. Wabash Ave., is seeking donations of food products and hygiene items for distribution to clients in their ongoing work with the city’s homeless. Take contributions to the church on the third Sunday of every month between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. St. James also accepts donations and contributions of all types for their outdoor food pantry. Call (312) 842-1919, ext. 214, to learn more.
Volunteers of America Illinois is seeking individuals or groups to partner with the organization in this year’s Holiday Wishes Drive, which provides gifts to families of military veterans and children in foster care. Each child selects up to three gifts valued at $25 on their wish list, and then the partners help fulfill those wishes. The group also offers a Rapid Re-housing program. To learn more, call (312) 564-2300 or email [email protected]. The office is at 42 W. Polk St., Suite 250-2.