Catholic Charities
Food Drives and Donations
One of the Catholic Charities primary ministries is running food pantries throughout the Chicagoland area. We depend on your generous food contributions of canned meat, dry goods, cereal, juice boxes, vegetables, and canned goods. Many community partners (schools, churches, businesses, etc.) in the area enjoy doing food drives or collecting items that children can relate to, such as peanut butter and jelly drives. Anyone in the community can participate in our Hunger Action initiatives by conducting food drives and collecting financial donations.
Food Pantry Volunteers
In Lake County, Catholic Charities operates two food pantries out of our Waukegan Office. Our Emergency Food Pantry – which provides food to struggling individuals, families, and seniors – needs volunteers to prepare the bags of food, sort donations received, and handle the actual distribution and tracking of the food. Volunteers are also being sought to interview clients and perform data entry. The second food pantry is our Care Cupboard, which provides for the special dietary needs of people with HIV/AIDS. You can help us help them to better nutrition.
Meals and Nutrition Programs
Wouldn’t it be painful to be lonely most of the time? Many of our Meals-on-Wheels clients see but one live face per day, that of our volunteers. And many of them would be unable to live independently without home-delivered meals. Instant gratification awaits the volunteer driver. Volunteer as infrequently as once per month, or as often as daily during the lunch hour.
Children’s Activities
There are childcare opportunities available for our Budget Counseling and Family Self-Sufficiency Programs on an irregular basis on Saturdays throughout the year. It is a great chance to help families stabilize their lives.
Maternity and Adoption Program
Catholic Charities’ maternity and adoption programs provide support for women and others dealing with unplanned pregnancies. Clients receive social services and educational support in making a plan for the care of their baby. Options that are explored include parenting, relative placement, and making a plan for adoption. Volunteers are welcome to prepare baskets containing many of the items a newborn baby will need or could even host a baby shower to gather items for a young parent.
Administration
You can impact poverty in your own community by volunteering in a pleasant, friendly office setting. Data entry, filing, mass mailings, and more await the volunteer with basic clerical skills, such as Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint experience needed.
PADS Of Lake County
–Helps the Homeless in Lake County
Donations: 87% of all donations to PADS go directly to help the people we serve. Your donations help people get a safe place to sleep; a warm meal; counseling services; and more.
Give Items: PADS relies on in-kind donations of basic necessities such as personal toiletries, clothing, and other things, all which go to help our clients as well as the homeless we find during our Street Outreach efforts.
Make Lunches: PADS is always in need of people to make, bring, or put together lunches. Whether you are making bag lunches at home, helping put them together with a group at work or school, or bringing them to a shelter site, your generosity is truly appreciated.
Volunteer: Volunteering at PADS is an excellent way to get involved in your community and make a positive impact in the lives of others. There are a number of ways you may give the gift of your time and compassion.
Feed My Starving Children
–-Gathers donations and food and utilizes volunteers to pack food to be sent to “the least of these” all over the world, largely in hard-to-reach areas.
Love In the Name of Christ
Love INC of Lake County mobilizes local churches to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ. Part of Love INC National, Love INC’s network of volunteers from churches are helping disadvantaged individuals to rebuild their lives and create new relationships all in the Name of Christ. And visit our second location in Lake County, Love INC Southwest.
Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers wear their courage on their sleeves. And we couldn’t succeed without you. We’ll provide all the training, education and support that you will need. And you’ll experience the reward of knowing you’ve truly helped.
A Safe Place: Transformation After Domestic Violence
A Safe Place relies on the support of the community in providing our services to survivors of domestic violence. Volunteers, donors, community advocates, and guests at special events provide the support and structure that makes our work possible.
Get involved today by becoming a fan on Facebook or joining our email list via the links at the top of the site, or follow the links to the left for more information about volunteering at A Safe Place, attending a special event or making a donation to support our services to victims of domestic violence.