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

Care for Real

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United States
Chicago, IL
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
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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.

07/03/2024

Care for Real is proud to serve as a reliable food source for our community. At least 19% of our immediate neighbors are facing food insecurity. Help us help more neighbors with a donation of any size at https://bit.ly/Give2CfR.

07/03/2024

Just a reminder - Care for Real is closed Thursday, July 4, Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6. Normal hours will resume on Monday, July 7 for a mini food distribution.

07/01/2024

Meet Jake! Jake joined the team at Care for Real last September as he was looking for a more fulfilling career opportunity. His partner suggested he try working at a food pantry and CfR was the first job opening he came across.

As one of CfR’s Warehouse Associates, Jake moves food around the warehouse, sets up distributions, and works with volunteers. He shared that his background in retail coordinating product flows and organizing inventory translates well to his current position. His experience so far at CfR has helped him expand his skillset. “Being meticulous, being patient, with people especially. I think that I’ve gotten a lot better at meeting people where they’re at.”

Jake’s favorite part of working at CfR is the people, “I love everyone here. Everyone’s so nice and friendly, it’s just like a little family.” He loves bonding with the team during meetings and navigating the crowded warehouse alongside volunteers.

We love Jake’s work ethic, positive attitude, and calm disposition, and we’re so glad to have him on our team. Next time you’re at Care for Real, say hi to Jake!

06/28/2024

Care for Real will be closed next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the holiday. There will be no food distributions or clothing closet appointments on those days. Please visit www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food to find food assistance in your area.

06/28/2024

Friday fun at Care for Real🫧

06/27/2024

Care for Real needs more support to keep up with the high demand for our services. Join hundreds of CfR Meal Makers who give every month to help sustain food pantry operations at https://bit.ly/CfRMealMaker with a gift of any size.

06/27/2024

Meet Ellen! She began volunteering last October for a school service project and decided after her first day that she wanted to make Care for Real a regular part of her week.

“I came home and I was like, ‘That was awesome.’ So I’m here for just fun now.”

She helps on Mondays with busy evening food distributions, usually on the returns team. On Sundays, Ellen sorts through food items in the warehouse and loads volunteers’ cars with Home Delivery orders for homebound clients.

When asked what she’s taken away from her experience so far at CfR, Ellen shared, “It’s about how you can have free time and make it something that impacts other people or helps someone else. I think that’s been my biggest lesson: trying to fill my time with things that are valuable.”

We love our high school volunteers and are so grateful for volunteers like Ellen who stuck around after they’ve fulfilled their academic requirements. You’re the best!

Have a teen at home interested in volunteering? Contact us at [email protected] to find the right shift for them!

06/26/2024

Join us at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Andersonville TODAY from 3-6pm. Mention Care for Real at the register and they will donate 25% of the sale to us!

06/25/2024

🍦Tis the season for ice cream!🍦Join us at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Andersonville tomorrow from 3-6pm. Mention Care for Real at the register and they will donate 25% of the sale to us!

06/25/2024

In addition to financial support, these are the items we need most right now. Can you help? Visit www.careforreal.org/wishlist to shop-to-donate.

06/24/2024

Care for Real has had over 25,000 food pantry visits since January. We need your support to keep up with the demand. Donate at https://bit.ly/Give2CfR or https://bit.ly/CfRPayPal to help us help thousands of families access the food they need.

06/21/2024

Care for Real has been about neighbors helping neighbors for 54 years! How do you help your neighbors?

06/21/2024

Celebrate the start of summer next week on Wed., June 26 from 3-6pm at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Andersonville. They'll donate 25% of your purchase when you mention us at the register. See you there! 😋💙🍦

06/20/2024

Food pantry clients can request personal care items, baby products, pet food, and clothing closet appointments every 30 days. We rely on support from community members like you to keep these items in stock. Right now, we really need diapers in sizes 2-6. Visit www.careforeal.org/wishlist to shop to donate through our Target or Amazon wish lists to keep shelves stocked.

06/19/2024

Happy Juneteenth! Block Club Chicago put together a list of ways to celebrate and honor the day the news of their emancipation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.

From cookouts to walking tours, there are plenty of ways to celebrate across the city.

06/18/2024

Neighbors facing food insecurity rely on Care for Real to access the food they need. Everyone deserves access to fresh and nutritious food. Help us help more neighbors with a donation at https://bit.ly/Give2CfR.

06/17/2024

Super ⭐⭐⭐ Monday volunteers! Join them by signing up for a shift at www.careforreal.org/volunteer.

06/17/2024

Care for Real is closed this Wednesday in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday. There is no food distribution that day. We will reopen on Thursday for food distribution from 4-6pm in Rogers Park.

06/14/2024

Check out our Executive Director's conversation with Feeding America's CEO in this new video!

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot sits down for a conversation with Gregory Gross, Executive Director of Care for Real in Chicago.

06/14/2024

Care for Real immediately felt the impact of Dom's sudden closure in early May. We had 12,325 less pounds of food rescue items in May than we did in April. We're working hard to secure the food our neighbors need to fill the massive gap. Support Care for Real with a donation at https://bit.ly/Give2CfR or https://bit.ly/CfRPayPal.

06/13/2024

These are the items Care for Real needs most this week. Can you help? Visit www.careforreal.org/wishlist to shop-to-donate or for more information. Thank you!

06/13/2024

Dedicated volunteers always put a smile on our faces 😊

06/12/2024

We've got some sweet news! Our friends at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Andersonville are hosting an ice cream social to benefit Care for Real on Wed., June 26 from 3-6pm. They'll donate 25% of your purchase when you mention us at the register. See you there! 😋💙🍦

06/12/2024

We love our volunteer groups like Loyola University Chicago Nursing students! Thank you for your continued partnership! Are you part of a group? Sign up to volunteer by emailing [email protected].

06/11/2024

We recently asked our email subscribers about their favorite grocery stores. Which store is your go to grocer?

06/10/2024

Thank you to all of the Care for Real volunteers who helped out in the beverage tents at Midsommarfest all weekend! We are grateful for our partnership with Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and the opportunity to participate in this annual tradition!

06/10/2024

Help Care for Real renew our ⭐️ Top-Rated ⭐️ status with GreatNonprofits by writing a brief review on our page https://greatnonprofits.org/org/care-for-real!

06/07/2024

We love every member of our community 🤍🩷🩵🤎🖤❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

06/07/2024

Did you have a messy week? TGIF! You made it! 👏🥳💙

Address

5339 N Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL
60640

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+17737696182

Website

http://www.careforreal.org/

Alerts

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Videos

Today closes out National Volunteer Appreciation Month, but our gratitude for Care for Real volunteers goes all year round! Thank you to the more than 1,100 annual volunteers who generously give so much time to help neighbors access the food they need. You are amazing!

Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Watch the full video at https://bit.ly/CfRMissionInAction!

Care for Real volunteers are amazing 💙 Happy National Volunteer Appreciation Month!

Care for Real 💙 our #volunteers! #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month! Care for Real couldn't exist without the support of our volunteer community. We appreciate volunteers every day, but especially in April!

Speaking to neighbors in their native language helps Care for Real create a welcoming environment and a positive experience. When we don't have a staff member or volunteer who can translate, we utilize interpretation services. We've made the most requests for Ukrainian, Pashto, Arabic, and Russian interpretation. Do you speak another language? Sign up to volunteer! Visit www.careforreal.org/volunteer.

CfR's Mission in Action

Watch Care for Real's new video to see our mission in action! Thank you to TEAM LEWIS Foundation for donating your services to share Michael Shawn's story and the work we do. Together, we care for real!

Watch the full video here at https://bit.ly/CfRMissionInAction! Thank you, TEAM LEWIS for sharing your skills to capture Michael's story and CfR's mission in action!

Thank you to our neighbors at @misericordiahome for donating herbs from your hydroponic farm! Together, we are a community that cares!

Learn about CfR's Core Values of Community, Client-Centered, Dignity, Reliable, and Resourceful in this quick video!

Be a good neighbor and join us in caring for real. Give now at https://bit.ly/EveryNeighbor.

Check out Care for Real's Core Values that guide our work to better serve our community 💙

Care for Real is closed at 1pm this Friday, we are closed and there will be no food distribution on Monday, Dec. 25, there is no food distribution on Tuesday, Dec. 26, we're closed and there is no food distribution on Monday, Jan. 1, and there is no food distribution on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Care for Real is collecting items for the families we serve now through Dec. 23. Visit Play in Andersonville to shop to donate or or visit www.playstoysandbooks.com and put "Care for Real" in the comments. We are also collecting $25 Target gift cards so that parents can purchase holiday gifts. Thank you for helping making the holidays more magical for CfR families!

Your Care for Real team is wishing you a great week!👋

Care for Real is working hard to meet the need for food in our community. Can you help? Make a donation of any size at https://bit.ly/Give2CfR.

Care for Real is grateful for our amazing volunteers all year long, but we're especially grateful to highlight our volunteer community during #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth!