* Excellent Customer Service * Kind & understanding People…read more* Fresh produce, healthy choices * Nice neighborhood * Highly recommended

They are doing great work here to serve the community. The staff and facility are very nice.read more

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.

A place where they find people furniture when they need it most. In 2025 they had their first bed…read morerace and they created beds on wheels and encourage people in the community to dress them up and it was a lot of fun to see the races with people dressed up. What a nice way to raise money and get donations for a great cause. We came to donate and get the cute TS for $25 each and they had a raffle. They pick up unwanted furniture and donate to those who need it.

**Horrible Virtual Appointment Experience with Chicago Furniture Bank**…read more I had a virtual appointment today with Chicago Furniture Bank to select furniture. My agency paid $450 for the service. Although I appreciate any help being offered to families in need, my experience today was very disappointing. After the appointment, I told them to cancel the delivery. Now I feel really bad that my agency may still have to pay a $100 cancellation fee. In my opinion, that feels very unfair. I was told I was approved for a furniture package, meaning a living room set, dining room set, beds, dressers, rugs, lamps, and household items. But what I saw during the virtual appointment and what I was actually allowed to choose from did not feel like a real furniture package at all. The lady doing the virtual appointment came late, was going extremely fast, and had a very nasty attitude. I felt rushed the entire time. There were a few items I saw that I wanted to ask about, but I was afraid to ask because of her attitude. Even my social worker looked highly disappointed, although she did not say anything. Most of what I saw on the video was the worker's feet, the floor, and her walking fast through the building. She was moving so quickly that it was hard to really see the furniture or ask questions. The way she acted during the appointment was horrible, especially knowing agencies are also present during these virtual and in-person appointments with their clients. Why would workers behave that way in front of the very agencies who are paying you to help their clients? That makes no sense and is just plain unprofessional. Most of the furniture had stains, scratches, and looked worn out. The furniture I saw was mismatched, scratched, worn out, and some items looked very beat up. I understand the furniture and merchandise are donated, but people who need help should still be treated with respect. Just because the items are donated does not mean families should be treated rudely, rushed through the process, or given items that are too damaged to use comfortably. It also did not make sense to me that there were things I could see during the virtual appointment, but I was not allowed to choose them simply because I was doing the appointment virtually. I was told during the virtual appointment that I could only get household items if I came in person. I saw pots, pans, and other household products, but she walked right past them on the video. If families are doing virtual appointments, they should still be allowed to choose basic household items, especially when they have a large household. I have a large household with mostly teenagers who are taller and bigger than me, but I was only allowed to choose one full-size or queen-size bed. I was told I could only get one queen or full-size mattress and box spring, and the rest had to be twin beds. That does not make sense for older teenagers because kids nowadays are often taller and weigh more than their parents. Families should be allowed to explain what size beds they actually need. I also saw nice chairs and just a few better-looking items, but I was not allowed to choose the nicer ones. Some of the merchandise looked so damaged and worn that I turned some items down. Since I turned some items down, I feel I should have been allowed to choose something else to replace them. Instead, I ended up picking old dressers, a scratched table, no TV stand, and not the right mattress. Honestly, my agency paid $450 for this, and I feel like I could have done better on my own by searching Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and local freebie groups. I have actually found like-new and even new living room sets, bedroom sets, and mattresses from sites like that before. A person could rent a truck for under $100 and pick up free furniture that is in way better condition. A lot of times, you can get new or like-new furniture for free or very cheap. The only problem is needing someone to pick it up and help move it. I would tell people to think carefully before using this service, especially if they are doing a virtual appointment. Compare your options first. There are free items online that may be in much better condition, and you may have more control over what you choose. The YouTube videos are misleading compared to what I experienced. Now I see why DCFS never wanted to refer me and my family here. They would rather pay thousands of dollars getting families new items than send them to a place where people are rushed, disrespected, and offered furniture that looks this worn out. All I can say is, if Chicago Furniture Bank does not change how they treat people and improve what they offer during virtual appointments, anyone who receives products from them may be very disappointed. I would discourage any agency from paying these high fees for their clients to receive terrible-looking furniture while being disrespected, mistreated, and rushed during a video appointment.

This is a clean, well organized resale shop filled with helpful staff and lots of quality treasure…read morehunting. I was primarily looking for fabric, and I unfortunately didn't find a ton of options to repurpose in the bedding and linens area. However, they have several racks of women's clothing to look through with shoes of several sizes organized above the racks. I even saw someone score a pair of new Vejas sneakers the day I went. I didn't have a ton of time to look through everything, but the store is much bigger on the inside than it looks from the street. I went on an extremely busy morning (I believe it may have been a senior citizen sale? I just got the tail end of an announcement over the intercom), but I had no trouble at all finding a solid parking spot just outside the main entrance in a generous private lot. The street is pretty busy, so I would be careful to turn at the light if you're taking a left into the store. There are tons of different clothing brands, from boutique to well-known names and more fast fashion tags. There was even a whole section of home goods I didn't get a chance to explore. My one difficulty was navigating the long racks of clothing. It was difficult to get from one end to another given the sheer amount of foot traffic, but I'm sure it may be different on a less busy day.

Yes, prices are a bit much. They have some nice furniture…read morewhich you don't see in thrift stores that much anymore, still a bit pricey but probably better made than some new stuff. One thing I really appreciated is that the shoes are sorted by size! So no grubbing around looking for the ones that fit. Yay. The women's clothes looked a bit tired.

I have walked passed this location during my walks around Central Avenue. There used to be Mather's…read moreCafe that I believe was in partnership with Metropolitan Family Services. Friendly staff, greeted immediately, feels like home when you walk in, very comfortable settings. Waiting area is warm and welcoming, the kids plays area adds a nice touch to the space. Once again friendly faces and supportive. Many support services provided, the MFS team is here to support the Belmont Craign community and I am thankful that MFS is here.

This is a wonderful organization that does so much to meet the needs of the mentally disabled. They…read moreearn dignity and friendship through the many programs that are offered, from building job skills to housing and respite. My family comes here each year for their Christmas brunch, a tradition my dad started several years ago and one we all look forward to. For a few Sundays each December, Misericordia hosts a massive brunch buffet, complete with entertainment by the Heartbreakers- a group of Misericordia residents that perform a pageant for all in attendance. The food is absolutely outstanding, beating the brunch offerings of many fine-dining restaurants... and it's all done with hard working volunteers. The wonderful work done by this organization cannot be done without help from the outside, so consider this when making charitable donations. Visit their website- Nancy has links- or visit the campus and prepare to be amazed at how much good an organization can do for the people it serves.

My first time here. I ordered a Reuben sandwich. I expect a little fat when you order corned beef,…read morebut this was over the top; there was way too much. The lady in charge asked if something was wrong. I said, " Yes, there's way too much fat, more than an acceptable amount." The lady took the sandwich back to the kitchen to let the chef know. She said it would be a good idea to order something different, so I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, which was good. I will definitely be back. It's too bad they're not open on Saturday, which would be a good day for me to have lunch with a friend who can't do lunch during the week.

Operation basement makeover kicks off tomorrow, but first I had to get rid of all of our current…read morefurniture occupying our basement. Over the past few weeks I made a list of local organizations that would find good homes for our furniture & remove the furniture from the basement themselves. After reading about the Chicago Chesed Fund I was sold...and even more thrilled when (on a Monday) they told me they could pick up my furniture that Friday. In comparison another local organization told me they were booked until end of July. That didn't help me since all my new furniture would be in by then. I was given a 2 hour window for pick up (12-2pm) and they arrived exactly at noon. Impressed! The driver, Michael, could not have been friendlier. By the time he left my house I was even more knowledgeable about the Chicago Chesed Fund and started thinking about other clothing, furniture, baby equipment and/or even my time that I could give to help. For others interested in donating they only take goods that are in good condition & nothing older than 25 years old. And they won't take sleeper sofas, but there were no issues removing a sectional, entertainment center, nightstands etc from my basement. In fact, they did so in record time. While I called around a bunch of organizations this past week, Chicago Chesed Fund will be the first call I make for donations going forward.

I had about 12 bags of clothes and blankets to donate. They called me to arrange a pickup very…read morequickly. They ended up being able to come even earlier which worked out better. I would recommend them to anyone who has items to donate. Added bonus, you just put your items outside and they come and take it all!

I am so glad I came! I volunteered through a face-book event and I was so elated doing it. I was a…read morelittle hesitant but screw it, its about doing things for others once in a while and just enjoying it. I usually do not like to talk about the good one does, but in this case, its more-so for the fact that others can join in and help them out when the need arises. If a teenager has to do volunteer hours this is the perfect opportunity to do so. I was put in the kitchen to cut up veggies and help make the GIGANTIC VAT of spaghetti. I mean this thing fed the 188 people we served just that afternoon. Seriously, it was something of a feat to see this. I didn't think it was actually going to feed everyone in the hall, but wow if it did! I helped prep the salad, spaghetti and even the desserts. I have to admit, I was so happy I went. And although it was hard work, the workers made it fun and exciting if that can be stated. They are a non for profit organization that gets donations of food from all over, and just recently started getting food donated from Aldi, YES ALDI! 7 days a week they feed the hungry and NEVER turn anyone away. Some guy (who I heard is a regular) came in with his 2 liter of soda already ready for the nights food. And you would think that a they would serve small portions, but no, these portions were fit for a football player. I mean seriously big portions. Then at the end of the night, (Food is served from 5-6 and stops after that), a take home bag is given to everyone which could consist of produce and a whole bag is what they give. Not one pack, a WHOLE BAG. Nutritious foods that some of the participants probably would never get access too. Not to mention that I was told by one of the cooks that people from far away south come for this and they are fine with that. What a wonderful thing to see, and I hope that this review will encourage others to volunteer their time at least once, to give back something to the communities that so need it. Parking down the block is free on Paulina, but if you park in front, its metered. I choose this so be prepared.

Feeding Hungry people all year round is not a Joke but this organization has been doing it…read moreeffortlessly.Glad to get a chance to volunteer as part of "Yelp Takeover event". They feed nutritious dinner 365 days which is really commendable. Apart from feeding homeless,veterans this organization also does social projects like Micro lending,Mentoring kids and guiding them in education. The place is spacious enough for feeding 50-60 people at one go. They have a big kitchen and counter to serve food.Rest Rooms are clean . Tammy, the staff is very friendly.This place is 5 min walk from Howard CTA station incase if you want to volunteer or donate.It is always good to spare time for less privileged. You can donate your money/time.Gift Donation is tax deductible. Helping Hands are better than Praying Lips-Mother Theresa.