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1 | The Parlor Drop Off - Accepted Items | |
2 | Last Review & Updated September 2026 | |
3 | All drop offs must be reserved here. PLEASE READ THE DROP OFF INFORMATION WE PROVIDE. Please do not show up without a reservation. Please do not leave items outside the building at any time, for any reason. Items left outside will be more likely to go in the trash than they are to be reused or help people. Thank you for your cooperation. | |
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5 | Items collected at The Parlor are redistributed across a number of community organizations and non-profits that support Chicagoans that need community support, as well as other non-profits & small businesses that have reuse purposes for items that would otherwise be landfilled or recycled. Follow us on Instagram @theparlorchicago for more information about our redistribution partners. We cannot guarantee any specific destination for your items, but we commit to making sure it gets used and avoids landfill. This project is completely community/self funded and so on very rare occasions, items may be used for fundraising, although this accounts for less than 0.1% of items that come through our door. | |
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7 | This list may evolve over time - keep an eye out for new items we can accept! If you'd like to help sustain this project, please consider making a donation here. | |
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9 | PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A LIST FOR THINGS WE DO NOT ACCEPT Thank you for being considerate! | |
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11 | ITEM | NOTES |
12 | OPERATIONAL ITEMS that help us run The Parlor Please note, we are trying hard to find all items second hand. If you'd like to help us purchase new items for the things we can't find, please consider making a donation to our funding campaign for this project - all donations are tax-deductible. For logistical reasons we ask you not to place orders for delivery on our behalf. | |
14 | Amazon-style courier Delivery Bags (see picture) | |
15 | Price tags from new clothing | We upcycle these for our merch! |
17 | Folding tables | 2 more 6-ft tables needed! |
18 | Trash Bags (kitchen size) | Always in need |
19 | Blue Ikea Bags | Always in need |
21 | Packing tape and masking tape | Always in need |
22 | Duct tape | Always in need |
23 | Embroidery floss and thread for mending club! | |
24 | Zone 100 Parking Passes for volunteer parking | |
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35 | CLOSET - all clothing must be seasonally appropriate! | Current needs notes (if relevant) |
36 | When dropping off clothing, please make sure it's only ittems that you would be happy to give to a friend! Please make sure items are WASHED, as we do not have laundry services on site. | |
37 | MENS / MASC ADULT CLOTHING **MOST IN DEMAND** Please see notes! | YES: Sweatpants, casual pants, jeans, tees, hoodies, NEW underwear, gently used pyjamas, athletic clothing, light jackets, belts, shoes. NO: Shorts, clothing with holes, unwashed clothing We do not currently accepted business attire! Let us know if you know of a nonprofit that would like it. All items must be seasonally appropriate. |
39 | FEMME/FEMALE CLOTHING | YES: Sweatpants, leggings, casual pants, jeans, tees, hoodies, NEW underwear, gently used pyjamas, athletic clothing, light jackets, belts, shoes. NO: Party dresses, robes, high heels/stilettos, shorts, skirts, fashion clothing that is not layerable. We do not currently accepted business attire! Let us know if you know of a nonprofit that would like it. All items must be seasonally appropriate. |
41 | KIDS CLOTHING: all ages and sizes, seasonally appropriate. | Especially looking for kids clothing ages 5-18 |
42 | BOOTS: all genders and sizes, kids and adult *most needed* | |
43 | WINTER COATS & ACCESSORIES [please do not bring wool/dry-clean only coats!] Please see notes! | YES: Practical, washable winter coats. Layerable jackets, vests, wind breakers, heavy winter coats. Hats, gloves, winter scarves. DO NOT BRING: wool/fur/dry clean only coats or light, summer/fashion scarves. Winter items should be appropriate for folks living outside and be waterproof if possible, but at the very least, able to be washed. |
44 | GYM SHOES / SNEAKERS: all genders and sizes, kids and adult *Mens and Kids most needed* | Please bring seasonally appropriate sneakers |
45 | Shoelaces | |
47 | Wigs | |
48 | Chest Binders | |
49 | Men's belts | |
50 | Work gloves, winter gloves | should be appropriate for long periods outside |
51 | Sports bras (please no underwire at this time) | All sizes, must be in great condition |
52 | New/Unused underwear Please see notes! | YES: Brand new in packaging, OR unworn IN A ZIPLOCK AND LABELLED AS NEW/UNUSED. NO: Any underwear that has been worn. Sorry, we can't take it. Please don't make us handle it! |
53 | SOCKS, VERY GENTLY USED Please see notes! | YES: new or very gently worn NO: fashion socks or socks that have seen better days. If you wouldn't give them to a friend, they aren't suitable for our partners' needs. Thank you! |
54 | Sunglasses | |
56 | Plastic clothes hangers (the uniform shaped ones, any color - see picture), trouser hangers, velvet clothes hangers (No metal wire hangers or misc shaped plastic hangers at this time) | |
57 | Baseball hats | In good condition (no bleaching, big holes, worn elastic, etc.) |
58 | Men's swim trunks | We do not accept women's swimwear! |
59 | Jewelry (only in good condition) | Sept 2025: No longer accepting broken jewelry. |
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61 | KITCHEN | |
62 | NEW: STAINLESS STEEL POTS AND PANS No Teflon | YES: In good usable condition. Must be clean and washed. NO: Teflon or heavily scratched pans. |
63 | Reusable/Canvas Shopping Bags & Insulated Tote Bags | e.g. Canvas or thicker plastic, anything that you would commonly reuse as a shopping bag. These are much appreciated by food pantries! |
64 | Paper Grocery Bags | Must be reusable and clean, no holes or broken handles. |
65 | Canned food, snack bars (individually wrapped) - non-expired | Don't buy new! Use this as a chance to clear out your cupboards, but please check dates before bringing! |
66 | Can openers | |
67 | Egg Cartons - clean & empty - 12 EGG SIZE | These are really valuable to food pantries! Please save your empties for us :) |
68 | Trash Bags | YES: Kitchen size or larger NO: small trash can bags |
69 | Napkins | Must be neat and in packaging/a ziploc bag - no loose napkins. |
70 | Paper Plates & Disposable cups | Must be neat and in packaging/a ziploc bag - no loose napkins. |
71 | Tea bags (individually wrapped ones or in a sealed box only), Hot cocoa packets | Individually wrapped teabags can be accepted loose / in an open box (please put into a ziploc bag if not in box). Loose tea/non-sealed bags can only be accepted if the box is sealed. |
72 | Plastic, rigid Can Carriers No longer accepting - see Recommended Resources tab for more information on where you can dispose of these! | |
73 | Little sugar packets, alternative sweeteners and other individually wrapped condiments, little creamer containers (all individually wrapped - no large bottles please) No longer accepting! | If loose, please put in a ziploc! |
74 | Wide mouth Ball Mason Jars - 16 oz, 32 oz, or 64 oz ONLY (can be with or without the lid). Must be this specific style and brand. Please do not bring us generic glass jars. | |
75 | Reusable Water Bottles in GREAT condition only | Please make sure they are in great condition and have all parts. No bottles that have chew marks, missing associated straws, or are covered in stickers please. Thank you! |
76 | Reusable Travel Coffee Cups (no standard mugs) in GOOD/GREAT condition only | Please make sure they are in great condition and have all parts. |
77 | Plastic Utensils | Loose or sets, must be clean/unused. Please bring them in a ziplock bag to keep them clean. |
78 | Koozies | NO LONGER ACCEPTING (as of November 2024) |
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80 | CLEANING SUPPLIES | |
81 | Laundry Detergent | Travel size, pods or full size. Full size can be partially used but please make sure it is at least half full. |
82 | Cleaning Cloths | Can be used but should be clean/reusable |
83 | Paper Towels | |
84 | Toilet Paper | |
85 | Dishwashing Soap | Travel or full size |
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87 | BABY ITEMS | |
88 | Diapers + Pull-Ups - all sizes | |
89 | Strollers | In good working condition |
90 | Diaper Cream | |
91 | Baby Formula | |
92 | We can accept a range of items useful to mother and baby. If you want to bring something not on this list, feel free to bring it with your drop off and check with a volunteer on-site. Please ensure EVERYTHING you bring is in a condition in which you would be comfortable giving to a friend. Certain items should be sterilized, put in a ziplock bag and labeled clearly. Please label any items clearly if their use might not be obvious to a non-parent. We really apprecite this, thank you! | |
93 | Car Seats | NO LONGER ACCEPTING. |
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106 | MISC ITEMS | |
108 | 12oz or 16oz wide mouth jars | please no other vases! |
109 | Magazines (not catalogs) | |
110 | Mobility aids - crutches, canes, seeing-eye canes | Please no walkers/wheelchairs as we don't have space to store them! |
111 | iPhone and Android phone chargers - please ensure they are working | YES: generic phone chargers NO: random cables or other misc electronics |
112 | Yoga mats | |
113 | Sleeping mats | Small/Twin size only - No mattresses or mattress toppers please |
114 | Suitcases / Luggage *MOST IN DEMAND* | |
115 | Blankets *MOST IN DEMAND* | |
116 | Bedding - clean sheets, pillow cases, pillows, comforters - TWIN, FULL OR QUEEN ONLY - please no King Size | Please label your bedding sizes and bundle as best as possible before dropping off - this is really helpful! |
118 | Backpacks / Fanny packs | |
119 | Puzzles & Board Games (see notes) | Please note we do not accept general toys because of space |
120 | Umbrellas | Must be in good working condition |
121 | Organza Style Jewellry Bags/pouches | |
122 | Facemasks - NEW, DISPOSABLE ONLY, KN95 PREFFERED. NO FABRIC MASKS PLEASE. | New and unused, preferably in packaging. Please put in a ziploc if not packaged. Must be brand new. We are no longer collecting fabric masks due to limited options to distribute. Please let us know if you know of a place that would take them! |
123 | Hand sanitizer | |
124 | Post-it notes, paper, general school/office supplies in great condition | Please only bring us items that are new or in good condition. These are distributed to kids & teachers. |
125 | Thank you cards, birthday cards, other general greetings cards | |
126 | Labels (that could be used as name badges) | |
127 | Writing Pens | Must be in good usable condition |
128 | Crayons, colored pencils, markers | |
129 | Ziploc bags | Can be used, but must be clean and dry with no holes. Large sizes particularly helpful! |