Record Roundup: How to help and receive help this 2025 holiday season

Now that the first snow has fallen, this winter’s holiday season is officially upon us. For some, that brings lots of merry, light-hearted fun and family time. For others, the holidays are prone to bring struggles and strain. 

The Record’s Holiday Giving and Receiving Guide provides listings of local resources for those who need help this holiday season and for those who wish to provide help. 

See something or someplace missing? Please email Editor in Chief Joe Coughlin at joe@therecordns.org, and it will be included.

RECEIVE

Food Pantries (Users may need approval prior to visiting. Contact organization.)

• New Trier Township, 739 Elm St., Winnetka, (847) 446-8203. Application. Questions on donations: hmosquera@newtriertownship.com. Questions on eligibility: jwinstedrosser@newtriertownship.com. Distribution: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Donation priorities: supplemental groceries, paper goods and hygiene items. Food drive ongoing

• Moraine Township, 800 Central Ave., Highland Park, (847) 432-3240, coordinator@morainetownship.org. Application. Distribution: 2-4 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday; 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Donation dropoff: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Donation priorities: pasta sauce, instant coffee, crackers, seasonings, household cleaning supplies, personal hygiene, baking supplies. Sign up here to volunteer for a shift. 

• Northfield Township, 2550 Waukegan Rd., Suite 100, Glenview, Call (847) 724-8300 to reserve an appointment, pantry@northfieldtownship.com. Application. Distribution: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Thursday; Donation priorities: pumpkin pie filling, pie crust mix, ready made pie crust, foil roasting pans. Sign up here to volunteer for a shift. 

• Niles Township, 8341 Lockwood Ave., Skokie, (847) 983-0073, foodpantry@nilestownshipgov.com. Distribution: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9:30 a.m.6:30 p.m. Tuesdays; closed 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday for restocking. Donation priorities: canned vegetables, pasta, oatmeal, deodorant, toilet paper, baby food and many more (click here for a full list of requested donations). To volunteer, call the number or email the address listed above. 

• Wilmette Food Pantry, Trinity United Methodist Church, 1024 Lake Ave., Wilmette, (847) 251-7333, wilmettefoodpantry@gmail.com. Distribution: 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays. 

Mental Health Services

• Erika’s Lighthouse, 897 1/2 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, (847) 386-6481, www.erikaslighthouse.org
Programs to combat adolescent depression and raise awareness of teenaged suicide

• Family Service of Glencoe, Kiki Farley Counseling Center, 320 Tudor Court, Glencoe, (847) 853-5111, www.fsgcares.org
Helps individuals, families, and organizations thrive by providing social and mental health services to members of the Glencoe and surrounding communities

• The Josselyn Center, 405 Central Ave., Northfield, (847) 441-5600, www.josselyn.org
Mental health care for all through community programming

• Thresholds, 4101 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, (773) 572-5500, www.thresholds.org
Services and resources for those experiencing mental illness and substance abuse

• Turning Point, 8324 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, (847) 933-0051 www.tpoint.org Non-profit clinic that offers screenings and free support for adults in crisis

• Rogers Behavioral Health, 5750 Old Orchard Road, Suite 200, Skokie, (833) 308-5887, www.rogersbh.org Non-profit mental health and addiction treatment center

Legal Services

• North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, 3500 Western Ave. #2A, Highland Park; (847) 737-4042, info@nslegalaid.org Free legal services related to immigration, housing and abuse for low-income families in suburban Cook County and Lake County.

GIVE

Toys for Tots dropoff locations (new toys in original packaging, through Dec. 10, depending on location):

• Highland Park: City of Highland Park, 1707 St. Johns Ave, Jennifer Dotson, (847)-926-1006
• Highwood: Friends of Highwood Library and Community Center, 50 Highwood Ave., Maureen C. Miller (847) 571-3673
• Kenilworth: Kenilworth Police Department, Village Hall, 419 Richmond Road, (847) 251-2141, through Dec. 7
• Skokie: Webster Dental Care, 4833 Church St., Amy Ficht, 8 a.m.-4p.m. through Dec. 10
• Skokie: Skokie Fire Department, 7424 Niles Center Road, Tommy Vasis, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. through Dec. 9
• Skokie: Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, 3757 Dempster St., through Dec. 11
• Wilmette: Wintrust Bank, 1145 Wilmette Ave., David Keil, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Dec. 10

Caring Neighbors Program: New Trier Township, 739 Elm St. Winnetka
Sponsor a family that Township social workers have identified as in-need by donating  gift cards to help eligible parents purchase food and/or holiday gifts. To get involved, contact Jeanne Winsted Rosser at jwinstedrosser@newtriertownship.com or (847) 446-8201.

Glencoe Community Holiday Drive: Glencoe Village Hall, 675 Village Court
Through Dec. 1, help area families in need with the 34th annual donation drive benefiting the New Trier Township Pantry. You can drop off donations at Village Hall, 675 Village Court #1609 or donate at checkout when shopping at The Grand Food Center, 341 Hazel Ave.

North Shore Senior Center Giving Tree: 161 Northfield Road, Northfield
Stop by and pick a tag off the giving tree and return wrapped gifts with the tags attached by Friday, Dec. 12. Most items are $30 or less. For more information, go online or call (847) 784-6000

Lend-A-Hand Gift Drive: YWCA Evanston/North Shore, 1214 Church St., Evanston
Through Dec. 15, drop off unwrapped gifts and gift cards to support women and families impacted by domestic violence. Make sure to check the wishlist.

Thanksgiving Baskets: North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe
The NSCL provided 319 Thanksgiving meals to families of Whittier Elementary School in Waukegan last year. Help surpass that number this fall by purchasing requested grocery items joining the congregation from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 23 to assemble thanksgiving baskets.

Giant ‘Can’orah: Fraida-Cameron Chabad Center of Wilmette, 2904 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette
Drop off kosher canned goods so the synagogue’s can-orah grows taller and fuller. The goal is to finish it in time for a Hebrew school-wide lighting on Sunday, Dec. 14. All cans will be donated to the ChesedChicago to help families in need.

CHARITY EVENTS

Holiday Market

More than 20 vendors selling all kinds of clothing, jewelry, candles, food and other good holiday gifts will gather from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 29-30 at 1900 Sheridan Road in Highland Park. Vendors donate a portion of their sales to a different organization each year. This season, the Chicago-nonprofit Gratitude Generation, which provides “community service opportunities” will be the market’s partner. 

Ceremony of Gratitude

In its 51st year, the simple ceremony will gather people on Zoom at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 27. The event is led by Rotary Club of Wilmette member Jim Pockross. Reach out to Pockross at mpockross@comcast.net to participate.

Donation Drive and Blanket Making for Veterans

Join State Sen. Julie Morrison from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Highland Park Police Station, 1677 Old Deerfield Road, where volunteers will collect new blankets, nonperishable food items and new games (board games, puzzles and playing cards) to donate to Midwest Veterans Closet. Volunteers interested in participating and creating no-sew blankets can sign up here. With questions, call Morrison’s office at (847) 945-5200.

VOLUNTEER

Service and Learning Together, or SaLT
A Highland Park nonprofit for which young people collaborate on service projects and trips. For more information, visit the website, email salt@saltservice.org or call (847) 745-9706

Radical Generosity Chicago
Radical Generosity Chicago is a nonprofit dedicated to serving food- and housing-insecure families in Chicago and the northern suburbs. Check out their website for volunteer opportunities and seasonal events.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.