Emergency Clothing for Oak Park & the Surrounding Communities
Outside and inside our doorstep, friends and neighbors face the challenge of inadequate clothing. At Calvary, we are determined to help alleviate this by providing free clothing to meet the essential needs of those struggling to do so for him/herself through a ministry called The Emergency Clothes Closet.
“The Closet” opened on October 17, 2009, and has helped thousands of individuals. As we serve our neighbors in the name of Christ, we need legions of volunteers: workers to sort and organize clothing donations along with workers to help clients on Saturdays fulfill their essential clothing needs, while others provide child care for the volunteers serving our clients.
Volunteer
Individuals, groups of friends, families with children 12 and older (children must be accompanied by a parent at all times), small groups and ABFs can sign up to work regular rotating shifts together. Each individual in a group needs to complete his/her own volunteer form. When completing the form, each member should select to serve on the same day. Volunteers typically serve once a month.
If you have questions, you can email us at !
Donate Clothing
We gratefully accept clothing donations at the church, Mondays – Thursdays, 9am-4pm; Fridays, 9am-12pm and Sundays 8am – 12:30pm. Donations may be left in the Portico to the right of the sanctuary entrance, accessed from the entrance in the west parking lot of 931 Lake Street. Receipts for tax purposes are attached to a clip board on the sill, just above eye level outside the Portico sanctuary entrance.
Our most pressing needs are for men's and women's winter coats in sizes large and above. We are also looking for:
- Outerwear (winter coats, winter hats, warm gloves, warm scarves)
- Tops (T-shirts [long-sleeve or short-sleeve], flannel shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, sweaters, fleeces)
- Pants (jeans, washable pants)
- Footwear (snow boots, tennis/gym shoes, new or very gently used socks)
- Underwear (men's and women's new underwear, long-underwear, tops and bottoms)
- Accessories (belts, backpacks, duffel bags, umbrellas, small suitcases with wheels)
Please limit donations to the items listed above. We do not collect dress wear, business wear or children's clothing. We also need sturdy hangers and large, clear plastic storage bins with lids to keep the Emergency Clothes Closet organized.
Are you in Need of Clothing?
The Closet is open Saturdays (except holidays) at 9:30 am, November through February.
We serve clients who live within the zip codes of our service boundaries: 60104, 60130, 60131, 60141, 60153, 60154, 60155, 60160, 60161, 60162, 60163, 60164, 60165, 60171, 60176, 60301, 60302, 60304, 60305, 60402, 60513, 60526, 60534, 60638, 60546, 60644, 60651 and 60707, 60804. A photo ID showing residency within those boundaries is required.
If you do not have a photo ID, please visit the Walk-In Ministry, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, Monday through Saturday, 10-11 am. They will help you obtain one.