WISH LIST
It takes more than four walls and a roof to make a house into a home. Many HOW clients arrive in housing with few or no personal belongings, due to an extended period of residence in shelters, insecure housing, or on the street. Donations of new or gently used items can make a huge difference for our clients.
HOW is unable to offer pickup services for donated items does not cover shipping costs. If you still wish to mail a donation, please address it to:
HOW
Attn: Community Engagement Coordinator
1607 W Howard St. Third Floor
Chicago, IL 60626
Four times a year, HOW hosts donation drives to collect items needed from our high priority list. Donors can find donation boxes across Chicagoland inside partner establishments or use our designated online link to purchase and ship items directly to HOW. Holiday Wish is the exception; donors are assigned HOW clients.
Donation Drive Schedule:
April: Spring Cleaning Drive
July: Back 2 School Drive
November-December: Winter Wear Drive and Holiday Wish Drive
High-Priority Needs
New Bras (all sizes)
Grocery gift cards
Preloaded Ventra Cards
Tupperware
Unopened Child Diapers (all sizes)
Towels
Cooking utensils
Dish soap
Floor cleaner
Stove cleaner
Disinfectant wipes
Mops
Brooms
Lotion
Deodorant
Shaving cream
Multi-purpose cleaner
Laundry detergent
Paper Towels
Menstrual Tampons/Pads
Hair Care for Black women
Silverware
Baby wipes
Pots/Pans
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Razors
Bed linen
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body Soap
Toothpaste
Floss
Utility buckets
Sponges
Empty spray Bottles
Microwaves
Accepted on a Case-by-Case Basis
Baby walker
Booster seats
Changing tables
Backpacks
School supplies
Toasters
Children’s toys
Books
Batteries
Crock pots
George Foreman grills
Rice cookers
Small appliances
Lamps
Event tickets
New baby bottles
New Pacifiers
Alarm clocks
Picture frames
TVs
Electronics
All clothing donations
must be clean and free of pet hair, have working zippers and/or buttons, and be without holes or stains.
Not Accepted
Antiques
Mirrors
Building materials
Bicycle equipment
Medication
VCRs
Breast Pump
Pillows
DVDs
CDs
Used DVD players
Sewing machines
Footboards
Cribs
Bicycles
Large furniture
Large Appliances
Fabric Furniture
Mattresses
Box Springs
Headboards
Medical Equipment
Gas powered tools/equipment
Exercise equipment
Musical Instruments
Pet Supplies
Used kids toys
Rugs/Carpet
Baby seats
Strollers
Used personal care items
Used cleaning supplies
Box televisions
Window treatments/Curtains
Used stuffed animals or fabric toys
Perishable/Expired/Open Food
Furniture donations may be directed to our furniture bank partners - see below for information.
HOW has limited storage and distribution capabilities for donations. If you have a large donation of new or used furniture, donations can be made to the Chicago Furniture Bank, a HOW partner. Chicago Furniture Bank helps HOW clients get a personalized furniture package for the HOW apartment.
If you live in the Chicago suburbs, Sharing Connections accepts furniture donations. At Sharing Connections, HOW clients pay a minimal fee to receive furnishings for their entire home. Sharing Connections is located at 5111 Chase Avenue in Downers Grove, IL. Please call (630) 971-0565 to make an appointment for drop off or pickup within their service area.
