Skip to main content

Enrolled Families and Seniors: As of September 14, 2026, Food Pantry call-in and pick-up hours have changed! Please reference the updated call-in and pick-up times HERE. Note that no same-day orders will be taken. We appreciate your understanding! 

Familias y personas mayores inscritas: ¡A partir del 14 de septiembre de 2026, los horarios para llamar y recoger en la Despensa de Alimentos han cambiado! Por favor, consulta los horarios actualizados de llamadas y recogida AQUI. Ten en cuenta que no se aceptarán pedidos el mismo día. ¡Agradecemos tu comprensión!

Resources—

Overview

Thank you for your interest in providing in-kind donations to help local seniors and children in your community. Everything from donations of food, hygiene items, paper products, toys, books, school supplies and gift cards are needed.  

When you give in-kind donations of food, moms and dads feel relief when they know their children will have healthy meals to eat. Seniors no longer worry where their next meal will come from because every month the food arrives. Children celebrate their birthdays with presents and a party.

Thoughtful in-kind donations bring joy and help meet real needs. The guidelines below make it easy to choose items our staff and volunteers can distribute safely, fairly, and efficiently.

Yes, Please Donate:

  • Unexpired, non-perishable foods, such as canned fruit, vegetables, soup, and tuna; crackers; pasta and pasta sauce; rice; peanut butter and jelly; flour; sugar; and cooking oil.
  • New unopened paper products and personal care items such as paper towels, toilet paper, tissue, full size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
  • Diapers of all sizes for infants and adults. Opened packages of diapers are accepted if in new condition and the size is noted.
  • New toys for children ages 1–15. See notes below under “Please Do Not Donate” for additional guidance.
  • New or like-new books for children ages 1–15 that are clean, current, and free of writing, odors, stains, or damage.
  • New party supplies such as unopened paper plates and napkins, balloons, streamers, and unexpired cake mix and frosting.
  • New school supplies for students in elementary through high school.
  • $25 gift cards to Target or Walmart.

Please Do Not Donate:

  • Expired or open food.
  • Open or partially used personal care or hygiene items. Opened packages of diapers are accepted if in new condition and the size is noted.
  • Clothing, towels, bedding, or housewares. Although we cannot accept these items, we are happy to connect you with partner organizations that will gladly put them to good use.
  • Used items, except books in like-new condition. We cannot distribute used toys, party supplies or decorations, or school or office supplies. When we receive these items, our staff and volunteers must redirect or dispose of them instead of preparing requested items for distribution.
  • Withdrawn library books.
  • Extra-large or bulky items that are difficult to store, transport, or distribute. Our gift boxes and bags cannot accommodate oversized gifts, and many of the families we serve have limited storage space at home.
  • Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades. To distribute these items safely and responsibly, we would need to match each item to a child and provide properly sized helmets and pads. Because we cannot do this consistently for every client, we are unable to accept these donations.
  • Electronic items that require Bluetooth, a smartphone, an app, internet access, or ongoing subscriptions.
  • Devices that are expensive to replace, repair, or maintain, including iPads and other tablets. We are also unable to equitably provide such gifts for all our clients.

Why These Guidelines Matter:

We appreciate the kindness and care behind every donation. By following these guidelines, you help our small staff and volunteer team spend more time preparing items that will be most useful to the people we serve, and less time sorting, redirecting, recycling, or disposing of items we cannot use.

Following this guide helps your generosity reach children, families, and seniors more quickly and effectively and allows HSP to provide items that are practical and equitable across the households we serve. 

Before You Donate:

View our Printable Flyers for the most current needs before shopping or organizing a collection. Needs can change throughout the season.

If you are unsure whether an item is appropriate, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at 630-221-8340 or hsp@hsp.agency before donating. We are always happy to help you select something we can distribute or connect you with another organization that may be able to accept your item. Thank you for helping your generosity go where it can do the most good.

Close Menu