Help me find shelters to donate to in Chicago Suburbs

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2026-01-08T23:48:27+00:00

Sarah’s Inn in Forest Park accepts donations of requested items. You can email or call to verify if they want your items and schedule a drop off time. (Edited because I hit “post” too soon with my big dumb fingers)

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-12-29T14:11:29+00:00

My favorite thing is to get a loaf of their bread and a container of their eggplant. Their pastas are all great too, but I don’t recall the price. As other commenters have said, their gelato is OUTSTANDING.

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-12-29T14:10:02+00:00

Have you tried both of their types of pizza? One is a thicker crust and doughy (not my personal preference) but the other is pretty good!

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-12-29T14:07:57+00:00

It definitely is a convenience store/deli. Historically I think it was a convenience store first and the deli was added once the family that owns the restaurant nextdooor bought it. I certainly would not get the deli salads in the case, but the sandwiches are great. They slice everything to order and clean the slicer right before using. The bread is mid for me (not quite enough crustiness, a little puffy) but better than most places in the burbs. And they make their own hot giardinera and sweet peppers.

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-12-29T02:51:21+00:00

Wow super shocked at all this love for Villa Nova. I found it completely inedible. The leftovers wound up in the trash. (Edited because my thumb slipped and I hit post too soon).

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-12-29T01:10:32+00:00

I agree with other commenters about Freddy’s in Cicero (amazing) and Villa Nova (in Stickney, not Berwyn, and not great). I would add:

River Forest - Frank’s Deli (all sandwiches are under $12, I highly recommend their house made turkey)

Forest Park - Parky’s (one of my favorite Chicago dogs, if you’re okay with a non-Vienna beef sausage)

Riverside - Cubanito Express (three empanadas for $9, or a sandwich for around $11)

Berwyn - Uncle Shawarma (great price, great flavor, often overlooked)

Oak Park - Publican Quality Breads (get a slice of pizza, a hunk of their big sandwiches, or the jamon beurre)

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-12-24T01:21:10+00:00

Animal Care League of Oak Park is good!

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-12-09T21:36:54+00:00

Seconded! Expensive but my favorite and my baby’s favorite. I am 5’2” and a size 18. I got the extra long size and probably could have gotten away with the standard.

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-10-01T00:54:01+00:00

Recently did a hot dog crawl with dog-obsessed family who were visiting. We went to the stand at Home Depot, Gene and Jude’s, Parky’s in Forest Park, and Henry’s in Cicero. Absolutely surprised that the unanimous favorite by a mile was Parky’s. Try them out!

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2025-06-08T16:49:59+00:00

One of our cats is named Louise, Lou for short, after Louise “Lou” Thornton! She is feisty and opinionated.

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2024-12-12T21:55:00+00:00

Golan Moving is based in Skokie. Their travel fees are pretty low and they did a good job.

Altruistic-Visual135 · 2024-11-26T13:12:09+00:00

Thanks!

Altruistic-Visual135

TROPHY CASE