What do you do with those perfectly good clothes you no longer wear — the trousers that grew a little too tight and sweaters that never left the shelf, the shirts you wore but once?
In response to Tempo stories last week on the questionable practices of the Gaia charity — which collects donated clothing through hundreds of green collection bins spread across the Chicago area — readers have asked where they can donate used clothes.
Finding a worthy and convenient place is actually easier than you might think. As a starting point, here is a list of 20 Chicago-area charities that need clothes. (The Tribune evaluated these agencies by examining their tax filings, researching news clips and talking with officers or staff. They are in Chicago unless otherwise noted.) But look around your neighborhood: Nursing homes often need textiles, as do many churches, mosques and temples. Unclot your closet — and do a little good for yourself and the world.
– Inner Voice Inc., 1600 W. Lake St. Funded by the city and federal agencies, this 20-year-old charity operates Chicago’s emergency shelter network. Administrative assistant Monika Mader (312-666-8110) can direct you to the nearest shelter, where clothes can be dropped off.
– The St. Vincent de Paul Society has drop-off centers on Chicago’s South Side, at 5413 S. Kedzie Ave.; and 9321 S. Western Ave.; as well as in Midlothian at 4644 W. 147th St. The society also has 35 white and blue drop-boxes throughout the city. Call 773-378-8022 for the locations or to arrange a home pickup. For outlying counties: 630-293-9755 or 630-231-4658.
– The Brown Elephant accepts donated clothes at five Chicago thrift shops, and resells them to raise money for the Howard Brown Health Center. The shops: 3651 N. Halsted St. 773-549-5943; 3939 N. Ashland Ave., 773-244-2930; 5228 N. Clark St., 773-271-9382; 1459 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-8801; 217 Harrison, Oak Park, 708-445-1472. Pickup service: 773-549-5943.
– The White Elephant Shop, 2380 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-883-6184. An affiliate of the charity that finances Children’s Memorial Hospital, the shop has existed since 1916 and raises more than $300,000 a year that is used for patient care and research programs. Call for pickups and drop-off hours.
– The Glass Slipper Project accepts formal dresses and accessories and donates them to financially disadvantaged Chicago high school students so they can attend their proms in style. Donations can be made at: Art Effect, 934 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, 773-929-3600; Chicago Public Schools, 125 S. Clark St., 773-553-1487; Margaret Bain, 1333 Maple Ave., 2E, Evanston 60201, 847-869-1249; George Korbakes and Co., 745 McClintock Drive, Burr Ridge, 630-986-4800. By mail: the Glass Slipper Project c/o Midway Moving and Storage, 2727 West Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. Or visit www.glassslipperproject.org.
– Gospel League Home, 955 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-2480. The women’s division of Pacific Garden Mission accepts women’s and children’s clothing 24 hours a day, and particularly needs Pampers, towels and sheets.
– Mt. Sinai Hospital Resale Shop, 814 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago, 773-935-1434 for hours. Proceeds from the 23-year-old shop benefit the hospital.
– Genesis House, 2815 W. 5th Ave., Chicago, 773-281-3917. This 20-year-old charity helps women leaving prostitution. Donations of women’s clothing — especially larger sizes and undergarments — are accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
– Trilogy Inc., 1400 W. Greenleaf Ave., 773-508-6100. This 33-year-old charity provides a variety of services to people with mental illnesses. It accepts washed adult clothes, but call first as storage is limited.
– Chrysalis Center for Homeless Women and Children, 773-264-2645. This 5-year-old charity picks up clothes and donates them to homeless South Siders through Holy Angels Baptist Church.
– Working Wardrobe is a 2-year-old charity that gives clothes to working women on financial assistance. It accepts donations on the second Saturday of each month between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., at 312 S. Westmore/Meyers Rd. in Lombard, 630-691-1455.
– Peoples Resource Center, 630-682-5402. The center is moving to a new location and will reopen April 5 at 201 N. Naperville Rd., Wheaton. It accepts dropped-off, clean clothing from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the clothes are given free to center clients. For 29 years, the center has provided food, clothing and shelter to low-income people in DuPage County, as well as literacy and computer training.
– Family Shelter Service, 246 Geneva Rd. (at Main St.) in Wheaton, 630-260-8855. Serving victims of domestic violence for 28 years, this charity accepts gently used, season-appropriate clothes, as well as household goods. Please call first as storage can be limited. The clothes are given to clients and sold to the public at a resale shop.
– Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program, 721 N. LaSalle St., 312-655-7510 for pickup. Clothes and small household wares are accepted 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and are given to needy people.
– The Salvation Army accepts donated clothes in the Chicago area at 15 thrift stores, 11 white drop boxes and five manned trailer sites. For the locations, or to arrange pickup from your home, call 888-5-PICK-UP (888-574-2587) or 312-738-4367, or visit www.salarmychicago.org.
– Goodwill Industries accepts clothes and other goods at four Chicago-area locations: 7400 W. 159th St. in Orland Park; 1900 W. Harlem Ave. in North Riverside; 539 Fort Hill Drive in Naperville; and 761 S. Midlothian Rd. in Mundelein. For other locations and assistance, call 888-353-6400, or visit www.goodwillsew.com.
– First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York Rd., Elmhurst, accepts adults’ and children’s clothes and shoes. For drop-off hours and information: 630-834-2440.
– The National Council of Jewish Women runs the Encore & More resale shop at 1107 Central Ave. in Wilmette. It accepts donations of gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, toys, jewelry and bric-a-brac. Drop off at the store or call for pickup: 847-853-8888.
– Chicago Abused Women Coalition accepts used clothing and household items but asks that donors first call 773-489-9081, or visit www.cawc.org/help/donate.html for the changing “wish list” of needed items.
– Family Rescue, 9204 S. Commercial Ave. This 23-year-old charity donates clothes to victims of domestic violence and their children, and also provides shelter and court advocacy. It asks that donors first call 773-375-1918 or visit www.familyrescueinc.org, as they have limited storage space.
