If you see something on the list below that you wish to donate,or if your office or organization would like to host a donation drive, please contact the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.  LPCS cannot pick up donation; please call ahead to schedule drop off of donations (773/549-6111 x 202).

Household:
Vinyl couches / vinyl chairs

Food:
coffee / creamer (powdered) / sugar / tea / oatmeal / cereal / cereal bars / granola bars

Kitchen:
napkins / large mixing bowls / dish soap / dishwasher soap / dish towels / sponges

Cleaning/Household Supplies:
toilet paper / laundry detergent / fabric softener / bleach / Murphy's oil soap / glass cleaner / oven cleaner / Lysol  4-in-1 / Pledge / Formula 409 / Fantastik / stainless steel cleaner / Clorox wipes / spray disinfectant (Lysol)

First Aid/Medical:
razors / decongestant tablets (daytime, non-drowsy) / Coricidin HBP (decongestant for people with high blood pressure) / antihistamines / nighttime multi-symptom cold relief (non-alcoholic) / cortisone-10 cream / antifungla cream / 2" thick gauze / antibiotic cream / multi-vitamins / Vitamin-C / Q-Tips

Other:
WinWay Resume Deluxe 12 (www.winway.com) / CTA passes / New men's dress socks (black or tan)

Always in need of:

• New men's underwear and socks (all sizes)
• New women's undergarments (all sizes)
• Breakfast foods (cereal, sugar, coffee, instant oatmeal, breakfast bars)
• Gift cards to local grocery stores ($20 denominations) - Dominick's, LP Market, Costco
• Gift cards to office supply stores (Office Depot, Office Max, Staples)
• Stamps (Forever stamps)
• Used DVDs, books, board games (with all pieces included!)
• Basic/general cleaning supplies
• Laundry detergent

Interested in volunteering?  Call/email Heather Reynolds, Volunteer & Community Relations Coordinator with any questions 773/549-6111 or LPCSinfo@lpcsonline.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

Overnight Volunteer:  This is a great way to catch up on that extra work you've been meaning to do!  Overnight volunteers provide supervision for the LPCS and its guests from 8:00PM - 7:15AM every night of the year.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age and must attend one of the monthly orientations before training.  Overnight volunteers are needed 365 days of the year - but this activity does book up quickly.

Front Desk/Reception:  Work with Shelter staff, clients and volunteers.  Volunteers can read, work, watch TV and sleep on a room separate from the guests.  Lights out for guests is 10:00PM.  For training, you will be paired with a veteran volunteer for your first overnight until you are comfortable on your own.

Track Activities:  Track Activities Volunteers teach one-hour classes that are focused on enhancing personal and professional life skills.  A Syllabus is provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their background and experience to assist in hosting the classes.  We welcome new and fun ideas!  Classes ar eheld during the day and early evening.

LPCS is in particular need of computer tutors, mock interviewers, and individuals who can develop and teach: anger management, personal safety, critical thinking & collaboration.

Sack lunches:  Sack lunches are also needed on a daily basis.  Prepare (not at LPCS) 35 lunches, and drop them off in the evening.  Overnight volunteers distribute the lunches in the morning, for guests to take with them as they leave for the day.

Saturday Hot Lunches:  Great group acitivity!  Hot Lunch is served at 1:30PM on Saturdays.  Purchase, prepare and serve lunch to the guests of LPCS.  The volunteer signing up for the hot lunch opportunity should coordinate his/her own group of volunteers (no more than 10 people) to provide the lunch.

Meal Volunteers:  This type of volunteer assignment work best with a group of 4-6 people, but no more than 10 (i.e. families, friends, co-workers, church groups).  We serve dinner nightly to our guests.  Meal volunteers prepate a meal that will serve up to 35 people.

Other Ways to Help

Office and School Collections:  Are your friends or co-workers looking for some way to give back?  Get them involved by organizing a drive to collect much needed toiletries, breakfast food, socks, and underwear.

Job Leads:  Do you own a business?  Do you know someone who owns or manages a business?  If so, pass along job leads to LPCS.  Because nearly 80% of guests are currently working or looking for employment, we are able to recommend a good candidate for the job.

Apartment Leads:  Do you own an apartment building?  Do you know someone who does?  Finding affordable housing for employed homeless people can be extremely difficult.  Because of our On Track Program we are able to make a good tenant recommendation.

Professional Skills and Experience:  Are you a lawyer?  Doctor?  Teacher?  Dentist or Counselor?  Let us know if you are willing to donate some of your professional time to the LPCS.  Dental work and legal assistance can be especially difficult to arrange for homeless people with little or no income.