Hi there! Any suggestions on where I can bring toys/gifts and clothes to kids/families in need. If you know of a home/shelter or even a family in your neighborhood or church who may be struggling to buy for there little ones this year, I have toys and clothes that I am looking to give away to someone in need. Thank you.
SPHD in Palatine is a great organization. I give all of my son's outgrown toys clothes, etc. to them for their baby closet. If they can't give the toys away they will still use them in office when clients visit with children.
I am too as a matter fact. There is a place in Litchfield Park that has a place called, "Once Upon A Child". They actually will buy your items from you. Or you can go to your local Salvation Army. They have a website and a link to where you can find one near you. :-)
Freecylce.org
Great resource you sign up and post and it gets picked up at your door step!
Wonderful resource in these -$ times.
There is a place called SPHD in Palatine. They have a drop off center near Harper College called the Baby Closet where they accept maternity, nursing and infant-children's clothes (up to age 4 I think). They also have a resale shop off Northwest Highway near Eurofresh for other items.
I really like this organization because not only do they give away items to people in need, but they also educate people through programming and counselling.
We have given away most of our maternity and baby items to them. It's nice to donate somewhere where you know it can help soon-to-be/new mothers who need it the most.
Our church has a table in the back where people can bring clothes to give away to needy families. We also have someone who picks up the excess Panera Bread on Saturday night, and King Soopers gives away tons of good food that is close to expiring every week. We give these items to single mothers, un- and under-employed families, etc. *If* we have any left over, then others can share in the food. So, perhaps a church in your area has a similar ministry. You might call around to see what you can find.
I have just the place for you. Repeat Boutique in Wheaton. My daughter's school has taken "field trips" there where they work for a few hours and meet people who come in for help. It's a great place. I've seen it first hand. I been taking all my clothes and household items there to donate for years.
They don't re-sell things. They give things to needy families who qualify.
Check out the yellow pages for a Used Clothes (Gently Used Clothes) store in your area; maybe a charity like Goodwill; and you could ask your church.
One place that I would never have thought of is my elementary school kid's nurse! She needed clothes that she could give (or loan) to the kids that came in with skin-scraped knees (you know the kind that puts a hole in the jeans? right?). That is another place to ask, at least about the clothes.
The People's Resource Center is always looking for seasonable clothes. As to toys and other baby things, I call shelters or other local NFP and see what their needs are.
Would you consider putting an ad on Craigslist to offer your items for free? This year my son went through many of his toys and I posted a listing that I wanted to give his toys to a family in need. It was hard to select a family, and if you do go this route, I recommend that you only keep the posting up for a few hours. After we had made our decision, this turned out to be the most wonderful way to start our holiday season. I wanted to give them for free, rather than to an organization that would then charge someone for the items. I also wanted my son to see how happy he was able to make another family by his generosity. My son is only 4 and I don't think kids of that age really understand what Goodwill is, but he understood that he was helping 3 other boys! Good luck! This is a wonderful thing that you are doing, no matter your approach.
