In-Kind Donations
In-kind donations to YWCA Evanston/North Shore do a community of good! Here’s how:
- They provide women and children at our domestic violence shelter with essentials to help rebuild their lives. Many survivors come to us with nothing.
- They help keep expenses down so we can focus on essential programming.
- And sales of donated women’s clothing help support our programs! We have a two resale shops for women, YWCA Shop for Good and YWCA Crowded Closet (also accepts consignments). 100% of profits from both shops support our domestic violence and economic empowerment programs for women across northeastern suburban Cook County.
Update: YWCA’s main building (1215 Church Street, Evanston) is closed. In order to accommodate COVID-19 safety guidelines and recommendations, construction of our main office facility, and all staff currently working remotely, YWCA will NOT accept in-kind donations until September 2021. Thank you for thinking of us!
- YWCA cannot accommodate drop-off or pick-up in-kind donation requests.
- Clothing donations of gently used and/or new women’s clothing and accessories may be dropped off at our resale shop YWCA Shop for Good (1107 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091), or our women’s consignment boutique, YWCA Crowded Closet (820 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202). (Read YWCA Shop for Good donation drop-off policy.)
- Questions? Contact Dena Stamatelos at dstamatelos@ywca-ens.org.
Video game console
Video games geared towards teens (still appropriate)
Blue ray player
DVD/Blue Rays
Coloring books
Books, various types (for kids and adults)
Baby clothes, Newborn – age 4
Puzzles, make sure that the puzzles donated have all the pieces
Outdoor toys for kids, Items like: Trikes, balls, jump rope, chalk, bubbles, etc.
Outdoor storage, storage shed/bench needed to house outdoor toys
We ask that donations of new and gently used clothing be made to:
- YWCA Shop for Good (1107 Central Avenue, Wilmette) is a non-profit enterprise owned by YWCA Evanston/North Shore. The shop accepts new and gently-used women’s clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-2:00 pm. Read the shop’s no-contact, curbside drop-off policy.
We cannot accept every donation. Upon occasion, it might be necessary for our staff to help you redirect your donation to other organizations where it can be put to better use.
Items we cannot accept:
- Used clothing: We cannot accept used clothing at our shelter. New and gently used women’s clothing can be dropped off at YWCA Shop for Good, our resale shop at 1107 Central Avenue in Wilmette. Other used clothing can be placed in the bin to the left of our front door.
- Used toys and stuffed animals: Through community organized toy drives and private donations, we are fortunate to be able to provide the children at Mary Lou’s Place with new toys. The dust and allergens carried in used stuffed animals pose a health risk to an allergic child.
- Home baked goods and home made meals: Health codes dictate that the shelter can not accept home made food of any kind.
- Furniture: Rooms at Mary Lou’s Place are each “adopted” by a community group or family that sees to its refurbishment and upkeep for a two year period. We do not therefore have an ongoing need for furniture nor do we have the capability of storing this type of donation.
- Sample size toiletries: The families that stay at Mary Lou’s Place do so for up to 90 days, so sample sized toiletries do not meet their needs. We ask that donated toiletries be full size.
Again, we are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors, even if we occasionally have to say “no thank you”. We appreciate your understanding.