My job gave us a day off to come and volunteer @ The GCFD. This was a great opportunity to support…read moreand help out those in needs. Everyone was friendly, helpful and productive. We all worked hard as a team to accomplish our goal of feeding over 2,700 families. This place is outstanding. Very clean and organized. I enjoyed lending my time for such an amazing and precious organization. I look forward to volunteering here again.

I was invited to volunteer for a team outing at this facility and I was surprised how beautiful…read morethis facility is exterior and internally. Plenty of parking and there is only one stall for EV charging. Inside you are greeted and checking-in is easy. They have you gather inside a locker area where you will have to put in small lockers your personal items before you get dressed appropriately. I was dressed in a plastic apron and gloves for onion packaging. This was a very fun event to help out. I would come back to volunteer again.

Very clean and security was awesome. Everything went well. The space is grateful dancing we…read morecelebrated and anniversary with approximately 100 guess attended a live band food services were excellent. I recommend this as a very low cost place if you're just willing to dress it up a little to your liking

Great place to have a function at. Gated parking. And the people are very nice and accommodating. I…read morecall upon them to have a Memorial Service. The room was perfect. One problem tho....because the establishment sits back off the street and the street sign is obscured by the new school across from it, some people had a hard time finding the place. And GPS didn't help. The street its on is a dead end.

Super, super delicious chicken sandwich (I went with the grilled chicken. Very moist and the sauce…read morewas super tasty. Got the fries as the side as well, those were great. We had to take it to go, but the service was great for ordering and the time to cook it!

Great food and good customer service. You MUST get the chicken sausage it is absolutely delicious…read more The gumbo is really good as well and the rice is cooked perfectly. It's a great price for the food you get. Hours are limited but trust me it's worth getting up on the weekend and stopping by.

A great local Ravenswood / Lincoln Square organization helping to serve the underserved and hungry…read morein the area. By working with shipping volunteers (among others), shoppers are able to pick out food with dignity. I've only volunteered here once so far but I think they're doing some really good work. Sign up to volunteer via their website!

The Friendship Center is doing some good things for three community…read more I've always wanted to help out my neighbors by volunteering, and what a pleasure it has been to dedicate my time here. TFC treats all shoppers with dignity and respect and does it's best to provide a much-needed service to those in need. Operating in 4-hour increments, shoppers have the opportunity to pick out their choice of groceries from an assortment of items. Shopping volunteers guide them around the pantry and bag the items for the shoppers. Hot meals and delivery meals are also provided on occasion. I encourage anyone interested in volunteering to come by and help out. It could not be easier or more fun. I also encourage anyone in need to check to the website to see if they qualify.

After 5:00 summer series Wednesday wine down:I recently visited this Little Black Pearl, and I have…read moreto say the energy when I walked in was great. I was surrounded by such positive, welcoming people of all ages. Throughout the night, we sang karaoke, played cards, shot pool and listened to good music. What really stood out to me was how safe, inclusive, and comfortable the environment felt. Everyone was so kind and genuine. But what truly touched my heart was how the community embraced my brother, who is special needs. There was no judgment only acceptance, laughter, and open arms. For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel like I had to be on guard, watching to make sure he was being treated with respect because everyone just welcomed. It was a relaxing night filled with connection and joy. I would absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, warm, and safe space. Thank you for such an unforgettable expeience.

The organization for which I work recently held an event at Little Black Pearl (LBP). The support…read moreand service we received was beyond stellar! LBP provided the space, catered the food (via their onsite cafe, Carver 47), connected us to amazing balloon and floral vendors, and provided other accoutrements (e.g., tables and chairs, table coverings, a stage, sound and tech support, package management). LBP's one-stop shop especially helpful given that our planning team resided outside of Chicago. There is so much to applaud from the experience: the warm and inviting space exuded elegance; the feast was as beautiful as it was delicious; and the LBP team's interactions with us (from planning to completion) was the epitome of grace and hospitality. They accommodated every request and did so with an exceptional level of excellence. When we asked that the menu include a vegetarian and Halal dish, they ensured guests had multiple options. When we requested assistance erecting our banner, they took on the task of assembling the entire structure, even machine washing and drying it when they noticed a stain. Compared to other spaces we considered (and have used in the past) across the city, LBP's offerings and support stood head and shoulders above and their love was palpable in their attention to details.That they have a heart-centered mission and work in support of youth and community was tasty icing on an already amazing cake. Thank you, Little Black Pearl team, for making our event a world-class experience!

The donation boxes are very convenient and helpful when cleaning out the closet and downsizing,…read moregetting rid of unwanted clothes. Used to put then in bags in the alley for whoever wants and needs to take but oftentimes I find them all messed up, thrown on the ground which defeats my purpose. So off to the donation box it all goes. Wish there were more of the boxes around town. I'd rather drop it off at the box then drive to the Goodwill. Everyone complaining of it being sold etc it's the same thing the Goodwill.and Salvation Army does. But at least I don't have to drive far or wait in line when I'm in a time crunch in a busy week, and don't want to haul bags of stuff in my car for weeks until I am able to go to a Goodwill and don't have the time to list on ebay or marketplace but need closet space at the same time. I think what Gaia is doing is very good. At the end, someone does use the clothes, and they're not thrown around in the alley on the ground where nobody will want them. I could care less for a tax deduction because I'd always forget the slip when tax time comes and plus it don't make much difference anyway. Tried donating to shelters before only to learn that those who work there scavenger the donation and keep what they like/what's newer for themselves instead of giving everything to those at the shelter. If you want to give directly to the homeless then give it to them on the spot. But it's also hard to figure out if the pants size will fit them etc. So when I'm in a time crunch and need to clean out fast, don't want to haul bags of clothes waiting to go to Goodwill and making myself seem like I live in my car with random bags of clothes waiting to be donated, I just drop it off at the Gaia donation box. It's also helpful with the website that gives location of the boxes so if I'm traveling O can easily look up the nearest box. Honestly, think that everyone complaining about the concept of these donation boxes works for Goodwill or Salvation because then they don't get direct donations to sell at the store. Gaia boxes are convenient too being available 24/7 specially when working an odd schedule I can never make it to a Goodwill to drop off. At the end of the day, someone still makes use of the clothes, they don't end up in a landfill and maybe if I don't want to donate such clothes then I'll just not buy anything until my current wardrobe wears out. I don't make a penny from donating to Goodwill either, only the buyer gets to have new clothes, some brand new at a cheap price. But I don't have time for that so I just drop off at Gaia box. I also.like the little projects they have going on, fun stuff, and everything they do on local level at the warehouse to everything being done abroad in the developing countries, environmentally. Keep it up!

I donated clothes multiple times, then I read the charity watch review of this company and I was…read morenot very pleased with the outcome. Clothes is sold,not given to people. They have a big "over head" to run their business so there is really no money left to help others in need. I probably will not use again. Please check for yourselves and decide if you still want to continue using their bins. Gaia please change your practice, you could be a wonderful place to use.

Grace House is an extremely successful shelter that works with women recently leaving the Illinois…read moreprison system. 95% of the women that complete the programs never return to prison (compared with the state average of over 50%). It's operated on a shoe-string budget, with an phenomenal amount of dedication to helping empower women to systematically and holistically transform their lives. Volunteers and donations (of goods, services, and funds) are ALWAYS needed and used with incredible resourcefulness. I volunteer there and it's an extraordinary experience! http://slministries.org/gh/#staff

I love the idea of this place and making donations to help women get back on their feet. I've…read moredonated professional and casual clothing, shoes, accessories. They are always looking for new bras and underwear for the women as well. New and used household items but especially any time you have to give. My only recommendation is easier way to call the offices and a receipt for any tax deductible donations.

New location on Lincoln Avenue is big and beautiful. We dropped off food donations and were warmly…read moregreeted by volunteers. The operation appeared well staffed and very busy, which made my heart happy. Donations were being sorted and I was so impressed by the organization of tasks, volunteers and efficiency of the facility.

Common Pantry is the best pantry that I have received food from the director Ms. Margaret is very…read morenice and the volunteers are nice and friendly. Quick service great atmosphere I thank God for them they help a lot of people, please check them out they are very professional and helpful. I have spread the word to friends and family.