Your donation of the following items will help us continue to provide food to the individuals and families served by The Night Ministry.

Meals

We welcome you to provide hot meals or sack suppers for members of the community we support through our Health Outreach Program and Youth Programs. In most cases, we invite you to also serve the meals you are donating alongside us!

Please visit this link to see when we need meals. Then contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-7719 with any questions and to make arrangements to provide meals.

Individual Food and Beverage Items

We distribute prepackaged individually packaged food and beverage items such as nut mixes, fruit and granola bars, and bottles of water to those whom we serve throughout our programs. Please consider donating the following:

• Chips and other prepackaged snack items
• Soft and chewy granola bars
• Unsweetened apple sauce in individual packets
• Bottled water
• Soft fruits with a shelf life such as bananas, oranages, and tangerines
• Fruit cups
• Fruit juices

Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-7719 to make donation and drop-off arrangements or for any questions.

Every year, The Night Ministry community celebrates the holiday season with gatherings and gifts for the individuals and families we serve. Our donors are the ones who truly make the season brighter with their generous contributions! Here’s how you can make a difference this year.

Stockings & Drawstring Backpacks

Supporters like you gift our clients stockings and backpacks filled with essential items like gloves, socks, and hand warmers during the holiday season.

Stockings and backpacks should include

• Winter Hat
• Pair of Warm Gloves
• Pair of Adult Socks
• Keychain Flashlight
• Hand & Toe Warmers
• Full-size Deodorant
• Travel-size Lotion
• Lip Balm
• Bath/Body Wipes
• Toothbrush
• Travel-size Toothpaste
• Small Nail Clippers
• Assorted Candy

Stockings should be approximately 18 inches in length. A drawstring is preferred, but you may also tie or pin the opening. Drawstring backpacks should be roughly 14 x 16 inches. Nylon backpacks work well. Dark colors are preferred. Please be respectful of our diverse client base by keeping stockings and backpacks secular and by omitting cards or notes.

We will be accepting scheduled drop-offs of stockings and backpacks between Monday, November 25, and Wednesday, December 11. Please contact Maya, Resource Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make arrangements

Holiday Gifts for Families

Clothing items go a long way in bringing comfort to our clients.

We are currently accepting the following items:

• New men's thermal long undwear sets (sizes M-XXL)
• New winter beanie hats (dark colors preferred)
• New stretchy gloves (dark colors preferred)
• New winter coats (sizes M-XL, dark colors preferred)
• New men’s t-shirts (sizes M-2XL; short and long sleeve)
• New men's sweatpants (sizes M-2XL)
• New adult-size sweatshirts/hoodies (sizes M to 2XL; dark colors preferred)
• New gym shoes (not slides) and boots (men's sizes 10 to 14; women's sizes 7 to 9)

We have created an Amazon Wish List to make purchasing some of these items for donation convenient. You are not, however, required to purchase them through Amazon.

We cannot accept the following items at any time:

• Used or opened packages of underwear, bras, or socks
• Professional clothing, including dress shirts, suits, dresses, blouses, sweaters
• Trend-forward clothing, like off-the-shoulder tops, crop tops, jerseys, etc.
• Dress shoes, heels, slip-ons, sandals, or slippers
• Workout clothing, tights, or swimsuits
• Accessories like belts, jewelry, purses, or fashion hats (only basic baseball caps or winter hats)

Next Steps

Please contact Maya at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.to make donation arrangements. We kindly ask that donation drop-offs be scheduled in advance so we can ensure staff are available to greet you.

If ordering from Amazon, please send to the following address:

The Night Ministry
1735 North Ashland Avenue
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60622
773-784-9000

Please note that we do not receive any information from Amazon when an in-kind donation is made via our Amazon Wishlist. If you would like to receive an acknowledgement of your donation, please contact Maya Crowl-Kinney at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inform us of your order.

The following are crucial supplies for unsheltered individuals.

• New or gently used tents (the more compact, the better)
• New or gently used sleeping bags (the more compact, the better)
• New or gently used backpacks
• New or gently used blankets

We have created an Amazon Wish List to make purchasing tents, sleeping bags, and blankets convenient. You are not, however, required to purchase them through Amazon.

Next Steps

Please contact Maya Crowl-Kinney, Resource Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make donation arrangements. We kindly ask that donation drop-offs be scheduled in advance so we can ensure staff are available to greet you.

If ordering from Amazon, please send to the following address:

The Night Ministry
1735 North Ashland Avenue
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60622
773-784-9000

Please note that we do not receive any information from Amazon when an in-kind donation is made via our Amazon Wishlist. If you would like to receive an acknowledgement of your donation, please contact Maya at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inform us of your order.

We distribute hygiene and personal care products throughout our programs to shelter residents and outreach clients. We ask that all products be unused and unexpired. Please be thoughtful when selecting toiletries to donate; if you wouldn't use the product yourself, you may want to reconsider donating it.

We accept the following items in full or travel size:

• Disposable no-rinse body wipes (bath wipes, not sanitizing wipes)
• Toothbrushes
• Body lotion
• Hair products for curly or textured hair
• Body wash/bar soap
• Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Lip balm

We cannot accept the following items:

• Menstrual products of any kind (we have a surplus and don't distribute very many)
• Makeup or perfumes
• Hair products like gel, hairspray, or hair dye

Next Steps

Please contact Maya at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make donation arrangements. We kindly ask that donation drop-offs be scheduled in advance so we can ensure staff are available to greet you.

Gift cards provide our clients with the means to purchase clothing, groceries, or a meal while Ventra passes allow them to get to school, work, and job interviews. Any denomination is appreciated, but all gift cards must be physical cards.

• Grocery/General Household
  Aldi, Amazon, Jewel-Osco, Target, Walmart, Dollar Tree*
• Pharmacy/Convenience Store
  CVS, Walgreens
• Fast Food
  McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts,* Subway,* Starbucks,* Wendy's
• Ventra Passes
  One-day passes for transit on the CTA and Pace
• Miscellaneous
  
  • Visa/Mastercard gift cards
  • Gas station gift cards

*Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Subway, and Dollar Tree gift cards may be purchased online and sent to The Night Ministry. If ordering Dunkin Donuts, please select "Send a physical card."

Next Steps

Please contact Maya at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make donation arrangements. We kindly ask that donation drop-offs be scheduled in advance so we can ensure staff are available to greet you.