Pantry
Groceries for Near West Side Residents
Food for the Homeless
Hygiene Kits for the Homeless
Groceries for Near West Side Residents
Help prevent hunger in families, individuals, and seniors residing on the Near West Side by donating food to our pantry. We also accept donations of personal hygiene products and household supplies. (Learn more about groceries for Near West Side residents.)
Suggested donations:
Food
- Soups
- Canned tuna
- Cereal
- Stews
- Vienna sausages
- Grits
- Chili
- Hamburger Helper
- Pancake mixes and syrup
- Pasta
- Canned vegetables (esp. canned whole tomatoes)
- Cake mixes and frosting
- Ravioli
- Pudding
- Rice
- Gelatin
- Ramen noodles
- Jalapeno peppers
- Cookies
- Macaroni and cheese
- Potato mixes
- Fruit (canned or dried)
- Baby food
- Juices
- Salad dressings
- Peanut butter
- Milk (shelf-stable or powdered)
- Mustard, ketchup, and Miracle Whip
- Jelly
- Coffee, tea, and cocoa
- Beans (esp. baked, refried, black, and pork & beans)
- Sauces (esp. cream, tomato, and enchilada)
Personal Hygiene
- Toilet paper
- Bars of soap
- Shampoo
- Razors
- Shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Feminine products
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Diapers
Household Supplies
- Laundry detergent
- Paper towels
- Cleaning supplies
You may also sign up to hold a food drive. If you have a large number of items to donate, we can pick them up.
Visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to check for volunteer positions working in our pantry.
If you have any questions, please call 312-997-2222×238 or email our volunteer department.
Food for the Homeless
You can help prevent hunger by donating food to the homeless. Because homeless individuals may not have a can opener or be able to store extra food, we ask that donated items be single-serving portions, readily opened without a can opener, and nonperishable.
Suggested items:
- cans of meats
- cans of fruit or vegetables
- juice or water
- instant oatmeal
- cracker packs or chips
- pudding cups
- breakfast bars/granola bars
We distribute food to the homeless in a small, plastic grocery bag. Each bag contains enough food for one meal.
Sign up to donate packed bags of food for the homeless or individual items to be included in the bags. If you plan to donate a large number of food bags or individual items, we can arrange to pick them up. If you have any questions, please call 312-997-2222×238 or email our volunteer department.
Hygiene Kits for the Homeless
Help the homeless with their personal hygiene needs by donating hygiene kits. Our hygiene kits for the homeless include the following kinds of items:
- Toiletries (small or travel-size) such as:
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
- dental floss
- shampoo
- deodorant
- disposable razors
- shaving cream
- soap
- feminine products
- Washcloths
- Face towels
Making a hygiene kit is easy: simply place the above items in a small, plastic grocery bag.
Sign up to donate packed hygiene kits or individual items to be included in hygiene kits. If you plan to donate a large number of kits or individual items, we can arrange to pick them up. If you have any questions, please call 312-997-2222×238 or email our volunteer department.
Cathedral Shelter is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.