Care for Real

Care for Real Care for Real is a 501(c)(3) not for profit providing free services and programs to those in need. linktr.ee/cfrchicago

For 50 years, Care for Real has been working with vulnerable, low income populations in Chicago’s Greater Edgewater community. Our founders reached out to the Edgewater Community Council for implementation and institutionalization; however, Care for Real operated as a financially-independent organization with its own Board of Governors and management. In February 2010, Care for Real, with the supp

ort of the Edgewater Community Council, became a separate, independent 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. No other organization on Chicago’s north side provides such significant outreach to those in need. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began we have been serving clients without having to worry about geographic boundaries. In 2011, Care for Real moved to our new facility at 5339 N Sheridan Rd in Edgewater to accommodate the increase in demand for our services and programs. We distribute free groceries 4 times a week from our Sheridan location, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Since May 2020 we have also had free grocery distribution every Tuesday at 1545 W Morse in Rogers Park. Our additional services include a clothing closet at our Sheridan Rd location that is open by appointment only. We also provide a pet pantry on the first Thursday of each month at our Sheridan Rd location. We are honored to serve our community by offering food, clothing and support to all who have need.

Andersonville’s Midsommarfest is this weekend! CfR volunteers will be staffing beverage booths on Sunday. Come join the ...
06/12/2026

Andersonville’s Midsommarfest is this weekend! CfR volunteers will be staffing beverage booths on Sunday. Come join the fun, say hello, and grab a drink to support Care for Real. We’ll see you there 💛💙

Care for Real is closed next Friday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Food distribution will still occur in Edgew...
06/11/2026

Care for Real is closed next Friday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Food distribution will still occur in Edgewater on Saturday, June 20th from 9am-1pm.

Please note we will not be accepting in-kind donations from Friday June 19th through Sunday June 21st.

This spring, Care for Real partnered with CampusCATALYST, a student-led consulting organization at the University of Chi...
06/10/2026

This spring, Care for Real partnered with CampusCATALYST, a student-led consulting organization at the University of Chicago that connects nonprofit organizations with undergraduate students seeking hands-on experience addressing real-world challenges.

Over the course of a nine-week project, a team of five CampusCATALYST students conducted research on Care for Real's social media and digital communications practices. The team analyzed current performance, reviewed nonprofit sector best practices, and developed recommendations to help strengthen how we engage volunteers, donors, and community members online.

Their work provided valuable insights and thoughtful recommendations that will help inform future communications strategies and outreach efforts.

We are grateful to the CampusCATALYST students for sharing their time, expertise, and creativity in support of our mission. Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of connecting emerging leaders with community organizations to create meaningful impact.

Thank you to CampusCATALYST and the University of Chicago students who helped make this project a success!

Our friends Oliver, Liam, and Jett from Peirce Elementary recently hosted a reusable bag drive for a school project! Car...
06/10/2026

Our friends Oliver, Liam, and Jett from Peirce Elementary recently hosted a reusable bag drive for a school project! Care for Real is always looking for more sturdy bags to give to our neighbors when they attend our food distributions.

Want to host your own reusable bag drive? The first step is to reach out to our Programs & Partnerships Manager by emailing [email protected]. Thanks so much to our Peirce 5th graders for helping to support our neighbors!

Meal Makers are monthly donors who provide dependable support which helps Care for Real plan ahead, keep pantry shelves ...
06/09/2026

Meal Makers are monthly donors who provide dependable support which helps Care for Real plan ahead, keep pantry shelves stocked, and respond to community needs throughout the year. Monthly gifts of any size make a meaningful difference in helping us serve neighbors week after week and month after month.

If you've been looking for a simple way to make a lasting impact, we invite you to become a Meal Maker today at bit.ly/MealMakers. Thank you for being part of a community which cares for our neighbors!

Happy Friday from Care for Real, where community is always in bloom!
06/05/2026

Happy Friday from Care for Real, where community is always in bloom!

Happy Pride Month! Care for Real is proud to support our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and to be part of such a welcoming community...
06/04/2026

Happy Pride Month! Care for Real is proud to support our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and to be part of such a welcoming community. We believe everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food and to a space which welcomes and celebrates who they are!

We are grateful to The Benjamin B. Green-Field Foundation for their continued support of Care for Real and our mission t...
06/03/2026

We are grateful to The Benjamin B. Green-Field Foundation for their continued support of Care for Real and our mission to foster a healthy and equitable community by helping neighbors and families overcome food insecurity with dignity.

Founded to improve the quality of life for children and older adults in Chicago, The Benjamin B. Green-Field Foundation has long supported organizations working to strengthen communities across the city. Their recent grant to Care for Real will help support pantry distributions, home delivery to homebound neighbors, and food rescue efforts serving our neighbors on the Far North Side.

Thank you for continuing to invest in our community and stand alongside neighbors experiencing food insecurity!

Care for Real is excited to return to Andersonville's Midsommarfest this year, and we’re looking for volunteers to help ...
06/03/2026

Care for Real is excited to return to Andersonville's Midsommarfest this year, and we’re looking for volunteers to help us staff our beverage booth shifts. This is a fun way to support our work, and we need lots of hands to make it happen!

This year, Care for Real's beverage booth will be at the North Stage on Sunday, June 14th. We especially need volunteers for our two evening shifts: 4:30-8pm and 7:30-10:30pm. View the schedule and sign up here: vhub.at/CfRSummerFestivals

As a reminder, festival volunteers should be comfortable being on their feet for most or all of the shift, volunteering outdoors, and engaging with festival attendees. Beverage booth volunteers must be 21+. By providing volunteers, Care for Real receives a portion of sales to support our mission.

Thank you in advance for representing Care for Real in the community!

Join us on Wednesday, June 24th, at Hamburger Mary's Chicago for Drag Bingo! Care for Real will receive a portion of the...
06/02/2026

Join us on Wednesday, June 24th, at Hamburger Mary's Chicago for Drag Bingo! Care for Real will receive a portion of the proceeds from this fun event, and we would love to see you all there.

Reservations are strongly encouraged, so grab yours while there are still seats available: https://bit.ly/cfrbingo.

Address

5840 North Broadway
Chicago, IL
60660

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+17737696182

Website

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