It’s the season of giving! At Bud & Rita’s, we’re so grateful for the opportunity to work with NGW Brands and The Budrista Club to collect donations for wonderful organizations in our communities. This year, we’re collecting monetary donations through our round-up at check-out, alongside physical donations. Read below to learn all about the great nonprofits we’re working with and their suggested donation items!
Bud & Rita’s Avondale
Round-Up: Grow Greater Englewood
Grow Greater Englewood (GGE) is a social enterprise that works with residents and developers to create sustainable local food economies, green businesses, and land sovereignty to empower residents to create wellness and wealth. They provide goods through their Englewood Food Sovereignty Network, create collective opportunity with the Community Land Trust, and will be launching a program to ‘empower residents to build skills’ that can lead them career and leadership paths. Visit B&R Avondale and B&R West Town to contribute to GGE through our round-up at the register.
Want to support Grow Greater Englewood even more? Each purchase of a Community Chocolate Bar directly supports Black, Brown, urban and rural farming efforts in Illinois!
Donation Drive: Irving Park Community Pantry
Since the 80’s, Irving Park Community Pantry (IPCP) has been committed to supporting food security on the Northwest side of Chicago. In addition to collecting and distributing donations, the Community Pantry works to provide hunger education, awareness, and advocacy to encourage local policy changes. Visit B&R Avondale to contribute to the IPCP by donating goods to the Budrista Club x NGW Friendsgiving Drive.
Suggested Donation Items:
Peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, canned fish, canned beans, pasta, rice, shampoo, deodorant, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, pet food
Bud & Rita’s Forsyth
Donation Drive: Northeast Community Fund
Round-Up: Northeast Community Fund
Starting as a small community food pantry, The Northeast Community Fund has spent the last decades transforming into a network of social services. This organization works to meet the basic needs of its local residents by partnering with external associations that provide emergency housing, clothing, furniture, and more. Visit B&R Forsyth to contribute to the Northeast Community Fund by donating goods to the Budrista Club x NGW Friendsgiving Drive.
Suggested Donation Items:
Peanut butter, canned tuna, canned chicken, cereal, breakfast items, instant mashed potatoes, canned quick cook items, laundry & dish soap, wrapped toilet rolls
Bud & Rita’s Niles
Round-Up: The Friendship Center AND New Hope Food Pantry
Donation Drive: The Friendship Center AND New Hope Food Pantry
The Friendship Center (TFC) supports Chicago residents in the Northwest side by providing free groceries to neighbors in need.This program provides hot meals, home deliveries, and pet food distribution along with collecting standard food donations. Visit B&R Niles to contribute to TFC through the Budrista Club x NGW Friendsgiving Drive.
The New Hope Food Pantry (NHFP) is an organization that donates food and meal items to families on Chicago’s Northwest side. In addition to donations, the NHFP also offers services such as blood pressure screenings, free healthcare services through various partnerships, and SNAP assistance. Visit B&R Niles to contribute to NHFP through the Budrista Club x NGW Friendsgiving Drive.
Suggested Donation Items:
One pot meals, canned meats, pasta, pasta sauce, dried/powdered milk, canned fruit, canned vegetables, packaged rice, pancake mix & syrup, ground coffee, tea bags, cereal, coffee filters, unopened baking items, baby food, baby formula, canned soups, canned tuna, canned pork & beans, dry beans, tomato sauce/paste, peanut butter, unopened pet food, pet litter, baby diapers, disposable adult undergarments, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, baby wipes, shampoo, bar soap, toilet paper
Bud & Rita’s Wadsworth
Round-Up: Community Action Partnership of Lake County
Donation Drive: Community Action Partnership of Lake County
The Community Action Partnership of Lake County (CAP Lake County) is an organization whose mission is to reduce the causes and impacts of poverty. This organization provides resources to help families gain self sufficiency, supplies scholarships for eligible students and housing payment assistance for local residents, and also stocks and distributes donated items from their food pantry for those in need. Visit B&R Wadsworth to contribute to CAP Lake County through the Budrista Club x NGW Friendsgiving Drive.
Suggested Donation Items:
Canned fruits and vegetables, canned proteins, canned chili & stew, dried & canned beans, pasta, rice, & dried goods, pasta sauce, cereal and granola, pancake mix, chips & snacks, peanut butter + other nut butters, shampoo & conditioner, body soap, toothpaste & toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, paper products (toilet paper, tissues, wrapped paper towels), laundry and dish soap
Bud & Rita’s West Town
Round-Up: Grow Greater Englewood
Donation Drive: The Northwestern Settlement through The Greater Chicago Food Depository
The Northwestern Settlement was started by Chicagoans looking to support and assist their neighbors in need. The organization works in collaboration with surrounding community-based groups in order to address the root social causes of food insecurity. Visit B&R West Town to contribute to the Northwestern Settlement through the Budrista Club x NGW Friendsgiving Drive.
Suggested Donation Items:
Canned fruits and vegetables, canned fish & chicken, canned chili & stew, dried & canned beans, granola bars, pancake mix, peanut butter, pasta & rice, chips & snacks, instant oatmeal, protein drinks, shampoo & conditioner, body soap, toothpaste & toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products
PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT ACCEPT CLOTHING, SHOES, PARTIALLY USED TOILETRIES, OPENED PACKAGES, OR ANY HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.