Care for Real

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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

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 support 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.

This summer Global Gardens Chicago dropped off lots of organic produce donations for our neighbors! The Global Gardens u...
10/21/2026

This summer Global Gardens Chicago dropped off lots of organic produce donations for our neighbors! The Global Gardens urban farm, located in Albany Park, is a community space where food, friendship, and cultural traditions flourish.

Thank you Global Gardens Chicago go for sharing the gift of fresh vegetables with our community! 🥬🌽🥦

Join us TOMORROW (8/21) at Hamburger Mary's on Bryn Mawr for an evening of bingo, great food, and community benefiting C...
10/20/2026

Join us TOMORROW (8/21) at Hamburger Mary's on Bryn Mawr for an evening of bingo, great food, and community benefiting Care for Real! The games begin at 7pm – play for prizes from local businesses and support your neighbors!

Make your reservation here: https://bit.ly/cfrbingo.

10/20/2026

Our office is partnering with Care for Real to help keep our neighbors warm this winter. We are collecting new and lightly used winter items, such as coats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats. From October 19th till November 20th you can drop off winter clothing at our office located at 1507 W Morse, or at one of our local business partners Rogers Park Social, R Public House, or Women & Children First Bookstore.

You can also donate via our Amazon Wishlist: https://bit.ly/WinterDrive26

*When considering donating, Care For Real always has a need for adult coats in larger sizes, XL and up. Please have any donated items laundered before donating.

Care for Real  ! We’ve earned a four-star rating (the highest possible) from Charity Navigator for 2026! When you give t...
10/19/2026

Care for Real ! We’ve earned a four-star rating (the highest possible) from Charity Navigator for 2026! When you give to Care for Real, your gift is in good hands. Make a donation at https://bit.ly/Give2CfR (link in bio) today!

Happy Friday from Care for Real! Last week, these fantastic (matching!) staff and volunteers served hundreds of families...
10/16/2026

Happy Friday from Care for Real! Last week, these fantastic (matching!) staff and volunteers served hundreds of families at our Rogers Park pantry. We’re so grateful for our community that helps us provide millions of pounds of food each year to our neighbors in need.

These are just a few of the ways our wonderful supporters have come to know Care for Real! We are a true community organ...
10/16/2026

These are just a few of the ways our wonderful supporters have come to know Care for Real! We are a true community organization, all about neighbors helping neighbors. How did you hear about Care for Real?

Join us next Wednesday (10/21) at  Mary's Chicago for an evening of games, entertainment, and great food! Care for Real ...
10/15/2026

Join us next Wednesday (10/21) at Mary's Chicago for an evening of games, entertainment, and great food! Care for Real will receive a portion of the proceeds from this fun event, and we would love to see you all there.

Make your reservation here while seats are still available: https://bit.ly/cfrbingo.

We would like to thank everyone who supported Care for Real during  ! Together, you helped us meet our $35,000 match, do...
10/14/2026

We would like to thank everyone who supported Care for Real during ! Together, you helped us meet our $35,000 match, doubling the impact of your generosity which enables us to provide food access for more of our neighbors. We are grateful!

We’re also excited to announce the winners of our Hunger Action Day prize drawing have been contacted!🎉 A special thank you to our sponsors!

Care for Real is honored this year to receive a grant of $50,000 from North Shore Exchange. We are tremendously grateful...
10/12/2026

Care for Real is honored this year to receive a grant of $50,000 from North Shore Exchange. We are tremendously grateful for the impact this grant will have on the communities we serve. Thanks to the outpouring of support from consignors, shoppers, and donors, NSE had another amazing year, enabling them to support our mission in this generous way.

Thank you Shore Exchange!

Thanks  to our community’s generosity, we are currently at capacity with clothing donations. We are temporarily pausing ...
10/09/2026

Thanks to our community’s generosity, we are currently at capacity with clothing donations. We are temporarily pausing accepting clothing donations until we are able to resume accepting clothing. Please note: we will still accept donations of winter coats during this pause.

We will announce on social media and on our website at careforreal.org/wishlist when we can start accepting clothing donations again. Thank you for all of your help and donations that support our neighbors!

Address

5840 North Broadway
Chicago, IL
60660

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+17737696182

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