Free Store

Edgewater Mutual Aid Network has a Free Store located at Edgewater Presbyterian Church with open hours every Saturday.

EMAN's free store acts as a hub for collecting and distributing the items our neighbors need, including seasonal clothes, toiletries, OTC medications, toys, and outdoor survival supplies for unhoused folks.

1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
Saturdays, 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

If you aren’t available during our hours, reach out at (312) 324-4378 or covidonedge@gmail.com, and we’ll try to coordinate another time for you to visit.

 
Two shelves in the free store stocked with bar soap, hand soap, Narcan, and shampoo.
Two racks in the free store filled with coats, sweaters and scarves.
Four masked free store volunteers with arms linked.
A shopping cart full of bar soap and body lotion.

How to donate

EMAN accepts donations on Saturdays between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and by appointment. Please reach out via email to coordinate a drop-off or pickup. Have something that isn't on our list you believe might be helpful? Reach out and ask! We'll let you know whether we can take it. Additionally, please do not donate items that are broken, dirty (including pet hair) or otherwise compromised to the point that you would not use/wear them yourself.

What We Accept

Currently, EMAN is collecting seasonal spring/summer items:

  • Spring-appropriate men’s clothes (pants, shirts, t-shirts) - All sizes

  • Spring-appropriate women’s clothes (pants, shirts, t-shirts, dresses) - Sizes XL+ ONLY

  • Jackets, rain coats, sweatshirts, and other light layers - All sizes

  • SPF 30+ sunscreen - Must be new/unopened

We’ll always take:

  • Foldable grocery carts

  • New socks and underwear

  • New or lightly used bras

  • Gym shoes and work boots - All adult sizes

  • Menstrual pads - Packages can be open if individual pads are sealed

  • Toiletries (bar soap, small bottles of lotion, travel size toothpaste, etc.) - Must be new/unopened

  • OTC cold and allergy medicine - Boxes must be unopened unless pills are in blister packs, in which case the individual blister packs must be completely intact

  • Small toys and stuffed animals - Must be clean and unbroken; toys with multiple small pieces must be in a sealable box or bag

  • Diapers (Contact EMAN for current size needs)Packages can be open if individual diapers are clean and folded/untouched; preferred unopened

  • Baby wipes - Must be new/unopened

  • Adult incontinence products, both pads and pull-ups - All sizes

  • Reusable bags

  • Clothing designed for extreme cold (long underwear, thermal layers, and outerwear meant for cold-weather camping or backpacking)

  • Compact camping gear for cooking

  • Portable heaters and small canisters of propane

  • 3- to 4-season tents - Donor should provide dimensions/capacity and all other specs

We DO NOT accept swimwear, books, used toiletries, or used underwear.

Other Free Stores

Not in Edgewater? Find a Free Store in your neighborhood:

 

Albany Park Free Store
3000 W Lawrence

Open Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays 4-8 p.m.
Saturdays 12-4 p.m.

 

Casa Hernandez Community Space & Free Store
3519 W North Ave

Open Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 5-7 p.m.
Saturdays: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

Ellis Avenue Free Store & More
5001 S Ellis Ave

Open Hours:
Thursdays 9-11 a.m.

 

Rogers Park Free Store
6525 N Clark

Open Hours:
1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, 12-2 p.m.