Food for Thought: Where to Donate in Lincoln Park

Chicago Police Food, Clothing Drives

From now through Saturday Dec. 15th residents can donate non-perishable food items to the Community Policing Office for the Chicago Police Department's 18th District at 1160 N. Larrabee Ave. in Lincoln Park. The department is also looking for new gloves, mittens, scarves and socks for men,women and children. Collected items will be donated to Near North homeless and needy families. For additional information, please call 312-742- 5778 or send an e-mail to 

caps018@chicagopolice.org.

Operation: Fill a Trolley

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co is currently running a collection effort, "Drive for Holiday Cheer" to garner non-perishable food items through the month of November. The end goal? To fill an entire trolley with food. The vehicle is parked at Millennium Park on Randolph Street and with a food donation, patrons receive $5 off an Explore Chicago Signature Tour ticket. The drop-off location and ticket discount is only available on site at the Millennium Park kiosk. For more information, visit www.chicagotrolley.com or call 773-648-5000. Items will be delivered Dec. 1 to Pro Labore Dei Mission.

Chicago Food Bank's Push for 1 Million Meals

The Greater Chicago Food Depository kicks off its 2012 One City, One Food Drive campaign this month as businesses, organizations and individuals throughout Cook County come together to help feed their neighbors. One City, One Food Drive launches with a 2012 goal of collecting 1 million meals. The drive runs through Dec. 31 with many special events and hundreds of public donation locations.

Donations of shelf-stable food items can be made at select City of Chicago buildings, including City Hall; more than 125 downtown office buildings, including the Aon Center, John Hancock Center and Willis Tower, 100 Chase Bank branches in the city, Whole Foods Market stores and Interpark parking garages. The Food Depository encourages donations of the items most needed by food pantries—cereal, canned chili, canned fruit, canned vegetables, macaroni & cheese, pasta, peanut butter, rice, soup and tuna. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

Help the Lincoln Park Community Shelter Help the Homeless

Holidays or not, the Lincoln Park Community Shelter, 600 W. Fullerton Parkway, could always use support from the surrounding community. The privately funded organization offers life-changing programming committed to rehabilitating those who are homeless. More than 300 people have graduated from its curriculum, which includes 36 people at any given time. The shelter currently needs toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving razors, deodorant, men's and women's underwear, dish soap, dishwasher soap, sponges and pocket calendars. For a more extensive list of items, visit the organization's website. Call 773-549-6111, ext. 216 to schedule a donation drop off.

Open Your Heart to Common Pantry

Food donations are always welcome at Common Pantry, 3744 N Damen Ave. Be sure to check the pantry's wish list for the items of greatest need. The nonprofit's unique shopping model for distribution means that families have the opportunity to choose some food based on personal preferences. Your food donations help ensure a broader selection that many of us take for granted on our weekly grocery trips. The most-needed items at this time include pasta, cereal, rice, oatmeal, canned goods, boxed dinners, pancake mix, vegetable oil, peanut butter, jelly and coffee. 

The organization also has refrigeration and freezer equipment, so it can take on perishable items such as produce or dairy products. Those at the pantry appreciate any donations that are within expiration dates. Unfortunately they are unable to accept prepared meals or cooked leftover items. Those interested in donating can drop off food donations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Call the pantry at 773-327-0553 to arrange a different time. The pantry is on the west side of Damen Avenue, just south of Grace Street. The Ravenswood/Brown Line Addison stop and the No. 50 Damen bus are the easiest transit connections.

Seasonal Love for the Seton Food Pantry

The Seton Food Pantry—located in St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1010 W. Webster Ave.—has a special seasonal request. The pantry is collecting 150 each of 12- to -16-ounce brownie mix boxes and 7- to -8-ounce instant mashed potato boxes to be included in Thanksgiving and Christmas food bags for those in need. Through the efforts of parishioner volunteers, more than 350 individuals in 250 households in the community receive groceries from the food pantry. Call 773-325-8610 for more information.