Toiletries
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Soap: travel size
Toothpaste, toothbrushes
Nail clippers
Shampoo: travel size
Conditioner: travel size
Razors: disposable
Shaving cream
Combs and brushes
Make-up
Talcum or bath powder
Perfume
Towels
Gift certificates
Jewel
Dominick's
Sam’s Clubs
Target
Kohl’s
Book stores
Century Movie Theatre
Music stores
Hardware stores
Video stores
Barber shops
Have your organization collect their spare change in a large jar.
Organize a bike or walk-a-thon and donate the proceeds.
On a special occasion, in lieu of gifts ask people to contribute to Connections for the Homeless.
Whenever your organization has a party or special event, add an entrance fee of cash or new or used books.
Give up something you enjoy for a set time frame and donate the money you would have normally spent.
Give a contribution in the name of a special person.
Get healthy! Give up a bad habit or start a healthy habit, attach a price to it, and have your friends/family contribute every day you stop the bad habit or participate in the healthy habit.
Recruit your favorite local band for a fundraiser.
Have your group pledge a set donation to Connections and hold an event to raise it.
Conduct a book/video sale and give the proceeds to Connections.
Have a bake sale.
Pass the hat for donations at an event.
During the year, the priority of specific items needed changes periodically. If you would like to conduct a drive, please contact us at vol@cfthinc.org for a current list of high priority item needs.
Please call the Volunteer Manager at (847) 424-0945 x 17 to inquire about donating furniture.
Items Needed
Gift Cards
$5 gift cards to Target, Jewel, Dominick's or Food 4 Less; Phone cards;
One day or one way CTA passes
Hygiene
Toothpaste, deodorant, razors, shaving cream
Diapers: Huggies or Pampers, newborn to size 6
Feminine hygiene products: Tampons, pads, panty liners
Incontinence products: Depends or Equaline (Osco generic) Food Pantry
Food
Canned food containing meat (e.g., beef & vegetable soup, tuna)
bottled water
canned meat
canned vegetables
canned fruit and fruit juice
packaged rice, instant potatoes, macaroni and cheese
canned soups
pasta sauce
peanut butter, jelly
Clothing
Men's new cotton underwear: all sizes, boxers or briefs
New socks
Jeans
Khakis
Sweatshirts
Sweaters
Raincoats/ponchos
Professional clothing
The following items are always needed:
Miscellaneous
CTA single use passes
($2 each)
CTA one day passes ($5 each)
Adult back-packs
Paper plates and bowls, paper towels
Over-the-counter health care items: aspirin, band-aids, decongestants
Movie passes
Office items: pens, markers, paper, paper clips
Phone cards
Cleaning supplies
Medical supplies
Portable air conditioners
Tools
Tool belt
Measuring tape
Utility knife
Hammer
Chalkline
Nailbags: side mount
Pliers
Small appliances in working order
Microwave ovens: in good working order
Can openers: electric or hand
Recreation items
New toys
Board games
Puzzles
Books
Decks of cards for all ages
Videos
DVDs
Off-site volunteer opportunities
Serving homeless adults and families and those threatened with homelessness
