To ensure every Evanston family gets to celebrate this holiday season, Mayor Stephen Hagerty is encouraging all community members to participate in the 11th annual Mayor’s Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive.
Through Dec. 13, the City will collect new, unwrapped toys that encourage physical and/or social activities, in addition to staple food items for holiday meals, including stuffing, green beans, yams, mac and cheese, corn and cornbread mix. The City is also collecting new and gently used children’s books.
Items can be dropped off at the following places:
Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.
Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St.
Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd.
Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St.
Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave.
Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.
Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church St.
Evanston Police Station, 1454 Elmwood Ave.
Evanston Fire Stations, 1332 Emerson St., 702 Madison St., 1105 Central St., 1817 Washington St. and 2830 Central St.
Main Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.
North Branch library, 2026 Central St.
Chicago Avenue/Main Street Branch library, 900 Chicago Ave.
J.E.H. Education Center, 1500 McDaniel Ave.
First Northern Credit Union, 1705 Sherman Ave.
More locations and drop-off hours can be found by visiting cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation or calling/texting 847-448-4311.
Financial donations can also be made online at cityofevanston.org or by mail, with checks made out to “Evanston Parks Foundation,” and mailed to Evanston Parks Foundation, 2100 Ridge Ave., Suite 1100, Evanston, IL 60201.
On Dec.18, community members can also donate their time by volunteering during the holiday basket giveaway event. Registration online is at volunteerevanston.org.
Families who wish to participate in the Holiday Food & Toy Drive to receive toys and/or food items must register by calling 311 between Nov. 25 and Dec. 13.
Community members can also support Mayor Hagerty’s Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive by purchasing holiday greeting cards featuring designs by Evanston students. Holiday card designs for 2019 will be available to view and purchase at cityofevanston.org. More information is available by visiting cityofevanston/holidaydonation or contacting Ken Cherry at 847-448-4311.