Jesus J. Montero for Borderless MagazineWhere to donate food, clothing, money and more to help immigrants being bused to Chicago as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s political stunt.
More than 8,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago by bus since Aug. 31 as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s attempt to put pressure on Democrats to change immigration policies.
Coming from mostly Central and South America, migrants bused to Chicago need assistance in getting both basic necessities – like food and clothing – and long-term housing, jobs and legal assistance.
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The City of Chicago and numerous immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations, such as the Resurrection Project, have coordinated to provide migrants with immediate shelter and in-depth case management. But with more migrants expected to arrive in the coming weeks, community organizers say more support is needed to help migrants, many of whom have fled unstable countries and will be applying for asylum in the United States.
Borderless Magazine has compiled a list of community groups and organizations collecting donations to support the migrants arriving by bus. Have a resource that we did not list? E-mail our engagement reporter, Diane Bou Khalil, at diane@borderlessmag.org and we will try to add it. This list will be continuously updated.
Government Offices Accepting Donations
Seeking:
Medicinal needs, including
- Lice shampoo
- Yeast infection medication
- Hydrocortisone for itchy skin
- Fever reducers/pain relievers for infants, kids and adults
- Pepto Bismol
- Pedialyte and Gatorade
Hygiene products, including
- Period products – pads only
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Soap bars
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Razors – women and men
- Baby wipes
- Diapers
- Deodorant
- Brushes and combs
- Hair ties
Food, including
- Regular dinner meals
- Breakfast and lunch on weekends
- Finger foods (non-perishable), like granola bars
- Water
Educational materials for kids, including
- Books in Spanish for kids ages 2 to 5
- Math activity books in Spanish
- Coloring books and crayons
- Pencils and sharpeners
How to Help: Drop off donations at one of these offices:
Ald. Andre Vazquez
5620 N. Western Ave.
Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rep. Jimenez and Sen. Aquino
4053 W. Armitage Ave.
Monday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sen. Pacione-Zayas
3140 W. Montrose Ave.
Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rep. Guzzardi
3458 N. Cicero Ave.
Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rep. Andrade
3007 W. Irving Park Rd.
Read More of Our Coverage
District 18 Meal Delivery for Migrant Support
Tandoor Char House Chicago is providing two hot meals a day to the migrants at the 18th District Police Station located at 1160 N. Larrabee. Members of the public can sign up to help drop off meals. To learn more, you can contact faraz@tandoorchicago.com or brad@bradkesslerchicago.com or text Faraz at 847-322-1077
Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants
ICDI’s Chicago Immigrant Transit Assistance (CITA) program serves asylum seekers at the Chicago Greyhound station who have recently left immigration detention.
How to help: ICDI has put together an Amazon Wishlist to help facilitate donations. Once purchased, items will be delivered to ICDI and given to migrants present at the Chicago Greyhound station who have recently left detention. Direct donation drop offs must be coordinated by reaching out to us at hello@icdichicago.org or they will not be accepted.
Nuevos Vecinos Free Store
Seeking: Donations of underwear, bras, jeans, leggings, joggers, sneakers, casual summer clothes (especially tops, t-shirts, dresses and light to mid-weight jackets, taking all sizes but most in need of smaller adult sizes and kids sizes), luggage, backpacks, toys, stuffed animals, OTC medicine (Tylenol, etc. especially children’s), strollers, hygiene bags, and feminine pads
How to Help: Drop off items at the locations and times listed or donate money or items through the links:
Sabka Sahaara Church (2538 W. Devon Ave.)
Tuesdays 5 – 7 p.m., Thursdays 4 – 7 p.m., Fridays 10 – 12 a.m.
Skokie Northwest (9412 Kostner Ave.) Text Katie: 847-494-0119 to arrange drop off
Albany Park (4533 N. Lawndale Ave.) Text Lana: 773-509-0918 to arrange dropoff
Skokie Central (3831 Warren St.) Text Kim: 312-881-9055 to arrange dropoff
Nuevos Vecinos BetterWorld campaign
Nuevos Vecinos Amazon Wishlist
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
Seeking: Donations of adult clothing (size small and medium), gift cards (especially for medication at Walgreens, Target and CVS), gym shoes (men’s size 8-10 and women’s size 5-8), reusable water bottles, kids toys, baby care items, kids clothes (especially boys clothing, undergarments and socks), strollers, Pack-n-Plays, kids shoes (size 11-4), phones, tablets, SIM cards
How to Help: Drop off donations at Casa Michoacan (1638 S. Blue Island, Chicago) Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or donate cash to BPNC
Femme Defensa and Pilsen Solidarity Network
Seeking: Donations of clothes (especially new undergarments, shoes and boots), hygiene products (diapers and wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene), transportation support (bus cards, ride share, bicycles), communication support (phones, phone cards, international minutes, translators) and food
How to Help: Venmo cash donations to PilsenSN. Donated items can be dropped off at the Mexican Community Council, 3610 W 26th St.
Humboldt Park Solidarity Network
Seeking: Donations of hygiene products, baby formula, toothbrushes and bottled water
How to Help: Drop off donations at their free store Casa Hernandez (3519 W. North Ave., Chicago).
Vault Gallery
Seeking: Donations of clothes (especially new undergarments, shoes and boots), hygiene products (diapers and wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene), transportation support (bus cards, rideshare, bicycles), communication support (phones, phone cards, international minutes) and prepaid gift cards.
How to Help: Venmo donations to vaultgallerie or Cash App to $vaultgallerie. Drop off locations at Vault Gallerie 2015 S Laflin.
Pilsen Food Pantry
Seeking: Hygiene items for children and adults (diapers and wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene). Donations of items can be stopped off at 1850 S. Throop St. from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday – Wednesday and Friday. And Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
How to Help: Donations of items can be stopped off at 1850 S. Throop St. from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday. And Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Little Village Community Council
Seeking: Undergarments for men and women (underwear, socks, bras).
How to Help: Drop off location at 3610 W. 26th St. on Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Food Not Bombs Rogers Park and PO Box Collective
Seeking: Deodorant, travel size shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, lotion, sunscreen, menstruation supplies, baby diapers and wipes, new underwear, socks, blankets, clean clothes and Ventra cards.
How to Help: Drop off donations at Food Not Bombs Rogers Park/ PO Box Collective (6900 N. Glenwood) Sundays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Southeast Youth Alliance
Seeking: Donation of adult and children clothing, (especially new undergarments, shoes and boots), hygiene products (diapers and wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, pads), phones, SIM cards.
How to Help: Drop off items at the locations listed or donate money or items through the links:
13300 S. Baltimore Ave.
9536 S. Marquette Ave.
11308 S Ewing Ave.
SE Chicago Mutual Aid Support for New Arrivals GoFundMe
Editor’s note: This story was originally published Sept. 12, 2022. It was last updated June 5, 2023. Thanks to Albany Park Mutual Aid for providing information on government offices collecting donations.
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