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Our Wish List

Thank you for considering an in-kind donation to The Night Ministry. We are grateful for your support.

Please explore the information below to ensure that we can put your contribution to the best use. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't give something to a friend, you may wish to reconsider donating it.

Please be aware that we do not accept unscheduled donations or donations left outside our buildings or given to our staff at outreach stops.

If there are any questions about a potential donation or you find our guidelines unclear, please contact Luke Aylward, Resource Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6022.


  • Outreach Professional Lavelle Horne offers a sack supper to a Health Outreach Bus visitor.

    Meals and Food Items

    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 Andrew Hart, Volunteer Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6033 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:

    • Nut and trail mix
    • Fruit or granola bars
    • Unsweetened apple sauce
    • Bottled water
    • Fruit cups
    • Starkist Lunch-to Go packs
    • Instant oatmeal
    • Cereal
    • Orange juice

    Contact Andrew Hart, Volunteer Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6033 to make donation and drop-off arrangements or for any questions.

  • A staff member with The Night Ministry provides clothing to clients on the streets.

    Clothing

    Clothing items go a long way in bringing comfort to our clients. Please be thoughtful when selecting clothing and shoes to donate. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't give it to a friend to wear, you may want to reconsider donating it.

    We are currently accepting the following items:

    • New men's boots, sizes 10-12
    • New white or black tube socks, sizes L-XL
    • Unopened packages of new adult-size underwear (men's boxer briefs, sizes M-2XL; women's briefs, sizes M-2XL)
    • New or like-new* men’s t-shirts (sizes M-2XL; short and long sleeve)
    • New or like-new* men's sweatpants (sizes M-2XL)
    • New or like-new* adult-size sweatshirts/hoodies (sizes M to 2XL; dark colors preferred)

    *We ask that all like-new clothing be freshly laundered and free of stains, tears, pet fur, and odors.

    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 Luke Aylward, Resource Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6022 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 Luke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6022 to inform us of your order.

  • The Night Ministry volunteers sorting hygiene products for the agency's clients

    Hygiene/Personal Care Products

    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 body wipes (bath wipes, not sanitizing wipes)
      • Hair products for curly or textured hair
      • Body wash/bar soap
      • Conditioner
      • Deodorant
      • Toothpaste (must be unexpired)
      • Mouthwash (must be unexpired)
      • 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 Luke Aylward, Resource Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6022 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.

  • A client of The Night Ministry prepares a meal for himself.

    Gift Cards and Ventra Passes

    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, Jewel-Osco, Target, Walmart
    • Pharmacy/Convenience Store
      CVS, Walgreens
    • Fast Food
      McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts*, Subway*, Starbucks*
    • Ventra Passes
      Single-ride passes for transit on the CTA and Pace
    • Miscellaneous
      • Visa/Mastercard gift cards
      • Gas station gift cards

    *Dunkin DonutsStarbucks, and Subway 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 Luke Aylward, Resource Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6022 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.

  • The Night Ministry volunteers sorting hygiene products for the agency's clients

    Survival Supplies

    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.

    We cannot accept the following items:

    • Camp stoves or other outdoor cooking gear
    • Propane bottles or lighter fluid
    • Folding chairs

    Next Steps

    Please contact Luke Aylward, Resource Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6022 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 Luke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6022 to inform us of your order.

1735 North Ashland Avenue, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60622 | 773-784-9000
The Night Ministry is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Our Federal Tax ID (EIN) is 36-3145764.