Freedom Through Essentials
Red, White & Blue Clothing Drive
Celebrating 250 years of independence by helping every man feel seen, valued, and equipped with the basics.
As America gets ready to mark its 250th birthday, we’re reminded that freedom means more than history; it also means dignity, opportunity, and normalcy in everyday life. Sadly, freedom for homeless people in Chicagoland is profoundly compromised.
A homeless person sleeping on a public bench will often be told by the police to move. People who live in tents in the parks will usually have them confiscated. Unlike all of us, they don’t have a choice about what foods they eat and what clothes they can wear.
Because everyone deserves the essentials that help them feel normal, confident and ready for the day ahead, we’re collecting new towels, underwear, hats, shoes, and socks for men experiencing homelessness at our life-changing shelter.
Join us in celebrating America’s milestone birthday by giving something practical, meaningful, and deeply human.
You can purchase these or similar items from Amazon or your preferred retailer and have them delivered right to our door. Helping couldn’t be any easier!
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Please have all items delivered to our administrative offices at:
Rogers Park Emergency Shelter
7464 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60626​
Donate The Basics
We've included an amazon link to a product that meets this basic need but you are welcome to substitute your favorite brand/color item in the sizes needed.
Socks
New, hole free socks can make the difference in comfort all year long.
Need: New mens sock, any color, any style. Thick, athletic socks preferred. Both large and regular sizes.​
Tees
Don’t you love that feeling of donning a soft, clean, new shirt? A new t-shirt that fits provides dignity and comfort as these men rarely get access to both new and right sized clothing.
Need: New T-shirts, any color. Sizes M, L, XL (most popular size)
Underwear
Good hygiene–and therefore health, comfort and dignity, starts with the base layer. Clean, new boxers are the most basic of items but one of the hardest things to come by for men on the street.
Need: Sizes M, L, XL
Shoes
Comfortable, hole-free shoes not only make living on the street better but for men on their way to stability can be essential to make working possible. Standing 8 hours in ill-fitting shoes with no support can sink a mans attempt at holding a job.
Need: Sneakers sizes 9, 9.5, 10.5, 11, 11.5 (any color)
Towels
Why do we need so many new towels? Every time a client leaves to a permanant home, we give them towels and sheets to set up with! So these towels wont just be for their shelter stay, this will help them for years to come!
Need: Bath towels of any color
Hats
Hats aren't just about fashion, they protect men from rain and sun in the summer, help keep heat in during the winter.
Need: Any color brimmed caps
Forever wishlist
You can find more items we always need on our wishlist page.
