Get Help Now!  (312) 655-7700
  Do You Need Rent, SNAP or Utility Assistance?

COVID-19 Services/Response:

Our thanks to the remarkable staff, partners, donors, and volunteers who are helping us meet the needs of those least able to navigate these unprecedented circumstances. We are in your debt.

Service Update:

  • For urgent needs, please call 312-655-7700
  • Meals to go are available at Congregate Meal sites and Senior Centers. Catholic Charities has suspended all senior group activities and adult day care amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Our home care services continue, and are following a more sophisticated protocol as there are seniors who have no one to drop off groceries and provide basic hygiene assistance.
  • Food pantries and evening meal programs will continue to provide food depending on supplies and safe distribution protocols. Please check under Our Services/Emergency Services for locations and phone numbers.
  • Counseling, case management, and other services that can be provided remotely are being delivered accordingly. Please call your case worker or program contact if you need assistance.

How You Can Help:
Due to COVID-19 exposure risks, we are unable to take donations of clothing or food from individuals or groups at this time.  

  • Please consider a contribution. The need for financial assistance and program support for those who were only just making ends meet will grow significantly with lost wages and other impact from the pandemic.
  • Masks, hand sanitizer, paper towels, or bleach wipes are needed and can be dropped at any Catholic Charities location. 
  • When shopping on Amazon, please use Amazon Smile and choose Catholic Charities so we might benefit from your purchase. 
  • Volunteers needed to pack food at pantries.  If you are not in a high risk category and are willing to help, please email Andrew McKernin at amckernin@catholiccharities.net. Protective gear provided. Health protocols enforced. 
  • Thank the human service workers, first responders, and grocery/gas station/coffee vendors in your life and when you see them in action.

For more information on COVID19, visit the CDC website.

With the support of local families, parishes, schools, and businesses, Celebration of Giving has been bringing joy and hope to families who might otherwise not be able to celebrate the holiday season for over 70 years. Last year, Catholic Charities was able to distribute gifts, toys and necessities to more than 25,000 children and families thanks to the generosity of people like you!
 How You Can Help

Toy Donations

 •Host a toy drive in your office, church, school, or neighborhood to collect new, unwrapped toys.

•Donate toys online by going to our wish list at Building Blocks, Amazon, Target, or Walmart. Order from the list and the toys will ship directly to our Workshop.

Sponsor-a-Family

 • Sponsor a family in need by buying gifts that fulfill their basic needs and wishes. Family sponsorship packages include age, gender, ethnicity, and a wish list. We request that you spend $50-75 per family member to make their holiday wishes come true.

•Host a sponsor-a-family drive to collect gifts for multiple families in need. A great way for groups to give back to your community.

SPONSOR A PROGRAM

 • Sponsor the children in a Catholic Charities Program. We’ll send you first names, genders, and ages of the children you sponsor.

•You also have the option to host a Christmas party with the children in the program you sponsor – a great way to celebrate the holidays with your coworkers, students, or parishioners!

Volunteer

 •Already hosting a toy drive or sponsoring families, and want to get more involved? Help sort toys and package gifts at Santa’s Workshop!

SHOPPING SPREE

 •Sponsor a shopping trip to help us start this year’s Celebration of Giving with a Workshop full of toys to deliver to kids. We provide the wish list, and you provide the funds and shoppers! This is a fun team building opportunity for your business!


For more information about any of these ways of getting involved, please contact the
Celebration of Giving Team at cog@catholiccharities.net
 Sponsor Drop-off
Drop-off Locations
Nov.25 - Dec.12

Drop-off Weekend Events

December 7th 9am-2pm
Incarnation Catholic Parish (Palos Heights) 5757 W 127th St (708) 597-3180

December 7 10am-1pm
Chicago:
Catholic Charities 721 N LaSalle St (312) 655-7401
St. Gall 5533 S Sawyer Ave (773) 349-8835

Suburbs:
Blue Island 12731 S. Wood St. (708) 333-9239
Cicero 1400 S Austin Blvd (708) 222-1491
Des Plaines 1717 Rand Rd (847) 376-2100

Monday - Friday: 7am - 7pm
Catholic Charities 721 N. LaSalle St (312) 655-7401

Monday - Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Chicago:
St. Gall 5533 S Sawyer Ave (773) 349-8835

Suburbs:
Blue Island 12731 S. Wood St. (708) 333-9239
Cicero 1400 S Austin Blvd (708) 222-1491
Des Plaines 1717 Rand Rd (847) 376-2100
Waukegan Call for drop-off (847) 782-4210

 Lake County

Donate Gifts for Lake County Families

Can you help provide gifts specifically for Lake County families in need? If you or your organization can participate, please fill out our Donor Information Response Form.

You can now also donate gifts for Lake County families online! Shop from the Amazon wish list below and the gifts you purchase will be shipped directly to the Lake County Distribution Center.






 Online Ordering

HELP SPREAD THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS TO KIDS IN NEED!

Help make a child’s holiday brighter by purchasing a toy from one of our wish lists! Order online and your gift will be shipped directly to our Workshop.

Click to purchase toys or home goods from our wish lists at:

                                      

                                                  


Don’t forget to include your contact information on your gift receipt so we can send you a thank you!

For more information about online ordering or other ways of getting involved, please contact the
Celebration of Giving Team at cog@catholiccharities.net or 312-655-7401.

 Gift Cards

HELP SPREAD JOY TO TEENS IN NEED!

The #1 gift request from teenagers is Gift Cards! Help make a teen’s holiday brighter by purchasing a gift card from one our registries and your gift will be shipped right to our Workshop.

Click to purchase gift cards from our Target registry or Walmart registry  (Please, no e-gift cards.)

Don’t forget to include your contact information on your gift receipt so we can send you a thank you!

You can also purchase a gift card at a retail store and send it to:

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Celebration of Giving
c/o Andrew McKernin
721 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60654

For more information about gift card donations or other ways of getting involved, please contact the
Celebration of Giving Team at cog@catholiccharities.net or 312-655-7401.

 Donate

DONATE TO CELEBRATION OF GIVING 2019


Your support will make Christmas wishes come true for more than 25,000 local children and families who might not otherwise be able to celebrate the holidays!

Now in its 73rd year, Catholic Charities annual Celebration of Giving collects holiday gifts for children and families served by Catholic Charities' wide array of programs.

The mission of the program is to specifically provide our clients – both children and families – who are in need of assistance at the holidays with new toys, clothing and necessary household items through the collection of donations from individuals, corporations, parishes, and other organizations.

Your financial support assists Catholic Charities with the costs of distributing gifts and makes this program possible!

If you would like your donation to go toward purchasing toys, please write “For toys” in the Leave a Comment box.

For more information about the program or how to Donate Toys, Sponsor-a-Family, provide Financial Support, and Volunteer, please call our Hotline (312) 655-7401, email COG@catholiccharities.net