Chicago's Christmas Charities

In this year of the worst economy in years, thousands of lost jobs and homes, charity is more important than ever at Christmastime. Chicago is a massive city and their are many people who need the kindness of strangers more than ever. Even though there are more I have listed the top charities in the Greater Chicago area. Whether you want to give cash, food or gifts, there are many worthwhile places in Chicago.

The Christmas Basket at the Cathedral Shelter of Chicago is an excellent place to donate. You can donate food, money or your time. If you want to donate food, remember to get non perishables. If you would like to donate money, they have a Christmas Basket program that will let you specify someone you know is in need or allow them to choose a family for you. They ask that you spend at least $30 person on gifts and at least $10 per person on a food gift certificate. They will provide you with necessary info such as sizes and whether it is a female or male and the ages. This is an excellent way to provide a needy family with some happiness during the holidays. You can donate online at www.cathedralshelter.org or call: 312-997-2222. The website can give you other alternatives for donations as well.

The next Chicago Charity that is especially needy during the holiday season is, Lakeview Pantry. This is a local food bank in the Chicago area that is vital to the Lakeview part of town. They assist to provide groceries, help clients address the issues that often lead to food insecurity, such as unemployment and housing instability. Every month over 2,100 individuals are served through its two distribution centers, home delivery program, case management services, and clothing distribution. They have two locations and have 10 different ways to donate. You can give a cash donation, you can give groceries, you can be a pantry partner and donate $10 dollars a month. You can drop off donations Monday - Friday, from 9am to 5pm at 3831 North Broadway. If you are an employer you can set up a matching gift program. You can make a Tribute Gift in honor of someone else. You can participate in their Annual Fall Raffle. Call :773-525-1777 or go to their website at www.lakeviewpantry.org for more info or to donate online.

Another great charity in Chicago is the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The Food Depository gives out donated/ purchased food from more than food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. This helps more than 500,000 adults and children each year. Last year they exceeded 46 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, which is more than 95,000 meals every day. They take cash donations and food donations. Several hundred companies in Chicago are saving money by not wasting precious food, donating their surplus food to the Food Depository. Perishable, prepared foods from grocers, restaurants and caterers are picked up by drivers, who are certified in food handling and safety. The items are delivered right away to a soup kitchen or shelter. Whether you are an individual or a food business they can make your donations work to the greater good of the needy in Chicago. For more info their website is: www.chicagofoodbank.org. Phone:773-247-3663.

The North Dearborn Association of Chicago holds and annual event called The Joy of Toys. This event is usually held in December and benefits over 4,000 kids.

You bring an unwrapped $20 toy for a child between the ages of 5-7. They have a toy wrapping session and usually get a great response. They ask that no computer or tv required games. No guns. Educational and religious items are usually well accepted. To contact the North Dearborn Association you can call:

312-632-1241 or go to their website at: www.dearborngardenwalk.com.

The Chicagoland Toys For Tots Motorcycle Ride is a long standing tradition in charity in the Chicago area. If you are a biker this is an excellent way to raise money and toys for area kids. The Chicago TFT is the oldest and largest TFT sponsor in the US. They raise more toys than any other club in the country. They ride each year around the first of December. Just bring a new toy and ride your motorcycle in a worthy project. Even if you don't own a bike, bring a toy and you can hand it off to one of the bikers. They will get it to the right place guaranteed. This is a very good charity. They love to do this for the kids of Chicago and need all the help they can get. You can contact them at: 773-866-TOYS or go to the website at: www.chicagolandtft.org.

Another similar Christmas Fundraising project in Chicago is the Tow Trucks For Tots. This is the 1st annual parade for Tow Trucks For Tots. It is scheduled for November 9th. If you are a tow truck owner or business or driver, this is a very worth cause. These folks are hoping for a big response. They are shooting for the Guiness World Record of Longest Tow Truck Parade. Even if you don't have a Tow Truck, bring a new unwrapped toy and donate. You can contact them at www.towtrucksfortots.com or call: 815-725-4400.

An easy and fun charity to be a part of at Christmas is Be An Elf. org. This is an organization that uses volunteers to respond to letters from Santa for children around the country. They raise money for gifts and also have a program to contribute at different levels. This program brings happiness to thousands of children each year. They operate on donations only. A great opportunity to really get into the true Christmas spirit. Contact them at www.beanelf.org

Salvation Army of Greater Chicago is like all of them around the country. They do tremendous work in all communities. They accept donations year round but at Christmas they have the Angel Tree. If you haven't done this, do it this year. This is such a wonderful program. In most larger communities the Angel Trees are set up in malls and high volume shopping areas. You go and pick a child to buy gifts for. I love this charity and it truly does benefit a lot of kids. For the Chicago area Salvation Army call: 773-725-1100 for more info on donations or the Angel Tree locations. website: www.salvationarmy.org

The last wonderful charity in the Chicago area that is truly a blessing is the Chicago Defender Charities. This charity should be on the top of the list. They provide scholarships and so much more for the Chicago area year round. At Christmastime their work is just as amazing. They provide Christmas Food Baskets for over 3,000 families that would otherwise do without during the holiday season. Since 2003 they have provided scholarships over $300,000 for well deserving students in Chicago. Donations are for an extremely worthy cause and will truly reflect the holiday spirit in everyone that gives. You can contact them at: www.defendercharities.org or call: 773- 536-3710.

Christmas is the season to open your hearts and your pocketbooks and help others. All of these fabulous charities do excellent work at Christmas and throughout the year. Please look beyond your own family, especially in these horrible economic times and help someone else, if not year round at least for the spirit of the holidays. Happy Holiday Season......