Human Concerns & Needs Drives
The Human Concerns & Needs Commission sponsors a wide variety of charitable drives throughout the year. Below is a brief description of them. Please note that some dates are seasonal, while others take place year-round.
Labels for Education: Ongoing
HCN is collecting box tops and soup labels from eligible General Mills and Campbell’s products. These box tips and labels can help schools receive free educational merchandise and materials. Look for the special education logos on the boxes and labels and once you’ve enjoyed the product, cut them out and drop them into the collection box in the back of the church. We will distribute donations to Immaculate Conception in Old Town, where many St. Mike’s children go, and St. John Berchman’s in Logan Square, a small parish school which needs help. For more information, e-mail humanconcerns@st-mikes.org.
Cell Phones: Ongoing
HCN collects old cell phones to sell or refurbish to benefit our sister parish and a local battered women’s shelter. During Mass times only, please deposit any old cell phones in the donation basket in the back of the church. During non-Mass hours, phones should be dropped off at the rectory. For more information, e-mail humanconcerns@st-mikes.org.
Toiletries Drive: Ongoing
HCN collects personal care items (shampoo, soap, etc.) for the homeless. All sizes are welcome, from the trial sizes available in hotels to the larger family sizes. Items can be placed in the basket in the back of church. For more information, e-mail humanconcerns@st-mikes.org.
Food Drive: Ongoing
We collect donations of non-perishable food items for the needy. These items can be placed in the food basket in the rear of the church. For more information, e-mail humanconcerns@st-mikes.org.
Book Drive: May – June
School Supplies Drive: July – August
HCN collects new school supplies for needy children every summer so they have what they need to start the school year. The list of supplies that are needed will be available in the back of church during the drive. Contact St Michael’s Business Manager Jeannie Collins at 312-642-2498 for more information or e-mail humanconcerns@st-mikes.org.
Thanksgiving Drive: end of October – mid November
HCN collects money to prepare Thanksgiving dinners for the needy at Blessed Sacrament and up to two other parishes. We obtain turkey donations from Jewel and purchase additional turkeys and stuffing with donations from the parish while also delivering funds to supply the remaining meal components where needed. For more information, e-mail humanconcerns@st-mikes.org
Christmas Toy Drive: November – mid December
We collect, wrap, and deliver new Christmas toys/gifts for children at Blessed Sacrament and up to three other parishes. For more information, e-mail humanconcerns@st-mikes.org.