Organize a food drive, order from our wish list, or donate non-food items.

Ways To Support Your Neighbors Facing Hunger

Provide essential operational support to sustain and expand The Friendship Center’s programs and services through a financial donation. This ensures that more neighbors in need can be served effectively.

Purchase From Our Wish Lists

Chewy Wish List
Hot Meal Wish List
Pantry Wish List
Neighbor SUpply WIsh List
Home Delivery Wish List

Additionally, you could organize a home goods drive to collect essentials such as cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and kitchen items for individuals and families in transition.

Food Drive Focuses

We are grateful that you want to host a food drive for our neighbors facing hunger. We invite you to pick a specific category to focus on:

  • Pasta Drive: Noodles and Sauce
  • Dried Beans Drive: Black Beans, Kidney, Pinto, Garbanzo
  • Canned Protein Drive: Tuna, Chicken, Salmon, Peanut Butter, Almond Butter
  • Coffee/Tea Drive: Ground Coffee, Tea Packages
  • Juice Drive: Full Bottle Juices (1-2 liter)
  • Snack Drive: Granola Bars, Fruit Snacks, Crackers, Chips
  • Paper Drive: Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Kleenex 
  • Baby Drive: Diapers, Wipes, Formula, Pedialyte
  • Adult Care Drive: Incontinence pads, Adult Diapers, Bed pads, 
  • Vitamin Drive: Prenatal, C, Multivitamins, Etc.
  • OTC Drive: Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Eye Drops, Cough Drops, Band-Aids, Antihistamines
  • Pet Food & Litter Drive: Cat & Dog wet and dry food. No Accessories or clothing
  • Personal Care (choose one subcategory)
    • Oral Hygiene Drive: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss, Mouthwash
      • Body Care Drive: Deodorant, Lotion, Soap, Body Wash
        • Hair Care Drive: Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair spray, Hair Ties, Brush, Combs
  • Items We Cannot Accept:
  • Frozen or refrigerated food
  • Expired food items
  • Clothing
  • Housewares
  • Computers and electronics
  • Used baby bottles
  • Car seats
  • Anything that is soiled or needs repair
    *Please keep in mind: If you wouldn’t give it to a friend, we shouldn’t give it to our clients. Thanks!

FOOD DRIVE INQUIRY

If you’re interested in hosting a food/non-food drive, please fill out this form with as much information as possible. Someone from The Friendship Center team will be in touch with you within 3-4 business days. Once we receive the form we will create a food drive flyer and social media graphic for you to share.

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As of November 2025, we’re unable to supply a food drive bin.

Drop-Off Information

To drop off donations, visit The Friendship Center during the following hours:

The Friendship Center
2711 W. Lawrence Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

If you need assistance, call 773-907-6388 when you arrive. A volunteer will come out to unload, you don’t even need to leave your car!

Monday: 2 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday: 3 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday: 2 – 7 p.m.
Friday: 2 – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

***Please do NOT leave donations outside our front or back door! We cannot serve food that has been left outside for an indeterminate amount of time.***

Support a Program

Support long-term sustainability by funding initiatives such as facility upgrades, food storage improvements, delivery vehicles, or community oureach programs. Contact the Director of Development, Lauren Diaz, for more information.

Host a Virtual Food Drive

Every donated dollar generates eight meals for our neighbors facing hunger. We can make a custom donation form for your office, organization, neighborhood, etc. If interested, please reach out to the Director of Development, Lauren Diaz, to get your form set up!

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Organize a meal-making event on a Wednesday to prepare food for 300 people and/or distribute it during the Thursday hot meal. Contact us to reserve a date.
  • Assist with pantry stocking, distribution, home deliveries, or other programs serving neighbors in need.
Sign Up To Volunteer