What: Donate a box or a bag of groceries to low-income families at Good News Partners in Rogers Park.
Where: 1600 W. Jonquil Terrace, Chicago
When: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, anytime between 9 a.m. and noon.
How: Collect and donate Thanksgiving baskets or bags consisting of canned goods, canned meats, fruits and vegetables and drop them off at the Good News Partners on Thanksgiving Day.
The organization: The mission of Good News Partners is to end homelessness and hopelessness. They provide affordable housing and support services for homeless families with a step-by-step transition from interim housing to independent living. Find more information here.
What: Donate a basket of fresh produce to the New Trier Township Food Pantry.
Where: 739 Elm St., Winnetka
When: Tuesday, Nov. 18 to Monday, Nov. 24
How: Collect food items such as oranges, apples, Brussels sprouts, potatoes and beans, as well as pantry items such as coffee, tea, salad dressings and crackers. Personal items such as shampoo, conditioner and body wash are also needed. For more information, visit the Township website or call the Township office at 847-446-8202.
The organization: The Food Pantry is open to qualified residents of New Trier Township, which includes the villages of Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka and Glencoe, plus portions of Glenview and Northfield. In order to qualify for assistance, the organization pairs social workers with individuals making requests to determine if they are eligible for assistance. At that time, social workers can also inform the individuals of other assistance programs.
If you know of a resident in need, please call the Social Services Administrator at 847-446-8201 for a confidential interview. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. A voice mail message can be left at any time.
What: Volunteer for the 2014 North Shore Turkey Trot.
Where: Downtown Highland Park; Registration will take place at Park Avenue and St. Johns on the Eastside Metra Parking Lot.
When: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27. The 5K race will tentatively begin at 7:30 a.m. The 10K race will tentatively begin at 8:10 a.m.
How: Click here to register. General race day volunteers, group leaders, course marshals and medical volunteers are still needed.
The organization: Proceeds from the Turkey Trot will benefit Black Diamond Charities’ two programs: BacPac For Kids, which provides underprivileged children with backpacks filled with school supplies, and Veterans Program, which assists veterans with the transition from military to civilian life. For more information, click here.
What: Volunteer with the Chicago Thanksgiving Basket Brigade to help assemble and deliver baskets filled with Thanksgiving meals for families in need or sponsor a family’s meal.
Where: UIC Physical Education Building, 901 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago
When: Sunday, Nov. 23, at 9 a.m.
How: Register online here. Arrive at UIC at 9 a.m. to help unload the trucks full of food and organize all of it in an assembly line. Once the food is organized the basket assembly line begins, and the process moves quickly! Volunteers often finish assembling the baskets around 1 p.m. Then, if volunteers have signed up to be drivers, they will be given a list of families and depart to make deliveries. When the deliveries are completed, all volunteers are welcome meet at Municipal Bar + Dining Co to eat, drink and enjoy! You can also donate online. Sponsor one family of five for $30, two families of five for $60 or three families of five for $90.
The organization: Chicago Thanksgiving Brigade’s mission is to provide a Thanksgiving basket to struggling families within the Chicagoland area, and in doing so provide them with a sense of hope, knowing someone in their community cares about them. This charity was created with the purpose of bringing together people who recognize that the gift is in the giving.
