We’re Making a Difference in Children’s Lives
Cradles to Crayons was founded on the philosophy that unused resources should be redistributed to the places they are needed most. Families struggling to pay for rent and groceries often cannot afford anything else. Basic items for their children—properly fitting outfits for school, diapers, a backpack, shoes, pajamas, a coat for cold weather—are simply not possible.
Cradles to Crayons’ mission and model enable our volunteers and donors to turn compassion into action and provide the essential items children need to thrive at school, participate fully in life, and simply be a kid.
Find A Local Drop Off
We have more than 70 drop-off locations located across Chicagoland, ready to accept your new and gently used clothing and shoe donations.
Without warm coats, clothing, boots, and winter accessories like hats and gloves, children miss out on important moments. Our Gear Up for Winter initiative ensures that Chicagoland children have what they need to get through winter comfortably and with dignity—whether they are at home, outside waiting for the bus, or at the playground. Find out all of the ways you can help!
Current Programs and Events
Free Home Clothing Donation Pickup
We’re excited to offer free home clothing donation pickups, ensuring that more of our community’s high-quality clothing donations reach Chicagoland children. The process is simple: schedule your pickup date, bag your donations, and leave them outside for our team to pick up!
Shop our Amazon Wish List
Shop our Amazon Wish List, and help us provide high-quality essentials to local children in need! Our Amazon Wish List is updated monthly and features items we have the greatest need for in The Giving Factory. To simplify the process, you can even select to ship the items directly to us.
Every Child Deserves Clothing That Fits, Feels Good, and Makes Them Feel Ready for Life.
Learn about the reality of Clothing Insecurity and the life-changing difference proper clothing can make for children and families.
Watch Material Impact, a 16-minute documentary that brings this hidden challenge to life through the stories of families, volunteers, and communities working together to ensure every child has what they need to thrive.
For more than two decades, you’ve helped build a community-powered model that makes high-quality clothing accessible for kids who need it most, with dignity at its core. Now, we’re sharing what comes next. Cradles to Crayons has officially launched our Strategic Plan, Every Child Deserves to Thrive: Closing the Clothing Gap by 2031 — and we want you to be part of it.
With 800,000+ volunteers and partners behind us, our five-year plan will double our impact.
Service Partners
Our whole focus is to make our collaborative process as easy and streamlined as possible. This helps us to empower the children you serve at home, at school, and at play by providing the everyday essentials that match their individual needs.
In the News
We host special events and activities throughout the year in our Giving Factory and in local communities to enable community groups, families, and businesses to support our mission and help neighbors in need.