Additional Services
Additional services are available for food pantry clients living in 60640, 60645, 60660, 60659, and 60626 zip codes at our Edgewater location.
Referrals
Care for Real prioritizes serving the whole person. While we aim to provide as much as possible, we know we cannot fill every need alone. Through partnerships with other local organizations, we help connect clients to the resources they need to thrive.
Clients can request support services and referrals during their food pantry visit or by filling out our online request form. We have referral guides available to help connect you with the right community resources.
Baby Care and Support Items
At our Edgewater location, Care for Real provides clients with essential baby and support items based on available inventory. These include:
- Incontinence and menstrual products
- Diapers, formula, and wipes
- Black hair care products
Clients may receive these essentials once per month. Diapers are available only for infants/toddlers registered to the family’s account. We are unable to provide diapers for relatives or neighbors who do not reside in your household. A list of currently in-stock items is displayed near the client check-in area. Please request items when you check in for your visit.
Personal Care Items
We also offer personal care and household items during food pantry visits at our Edgewater location when supplies are in stock. When available, all clients will receive these items during their visit without the need to request or register for them separately. Items vary based on donations and may include essentials like shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant or cleaning supplies. When being distributed, “Personal Care” will be listed on the menu board at check-in.
Pet Pantry
Food pantry clients can also request assistance for their furry friends through our Pet Pantry. We offer both cat and dog food at our Edgewater location. Clients must register their household pets (type, name, and age) to add them to their account. We can add up to four pets. We are unable to provide food for feral cats, shelters, or pets belonging to neighbors. Pet food is in limited supply. A list of in-stock items is displayed at check-in. Please request items when you register for your visit. Clients can receive pet food once per month.
Marie’s Clothing Closet
Food pantry clients can also schedule appointments for Marie’s Clothing Closet when they visit food distribution at either pantry. Marie’s Clothing Closet offers free clothing items for adults and children and is located at 5840 N. Broadway in Edgewater. Clients are welcome to schedule a visit once a month. Appointments are only scheduled in person during food pantry visits.
About Marie
Care for Real’s clothing closet is named in honor of Marie, whose life reflected the very values that guide our work today. During the 2020–21 fiscal year, an anonymous donor made a milestone contribution in her honor, creating a lasting tribute to her legacy of generosity and care.
Marie grew up on a small farm in Pennsylvania during the Great Depression, where she experienced firsthand the realities of living with limited resources. These early experiences shaped her lifelong appreciation for healthy food, hard work, and frugality. A remarkable woman, Marie became one of the first in her family to graduate from college and went on to work as one of the few female pharmacists of her time.
Marie and her husband, Harold, were avid gardeners who regularly grew more food than their family needed. They shared their harvest generously, offering baskets of fresh produce to friends and neighbors. Later in life, Marie dedicated more than 20 years to volunteering at a resale shop, where she found deep joy in preparing and displaying donated clothing so others could access it with dignity.
Today, Marie’s Clothing Closet continues that legacy. It provides neighbors with access to quality clothing in a welcoming, respectful environment, reflecting Care for Real’s commitment to dignity, community, and compassionate service.
We are proud to honor Marie through a space that embodies her spirit of generosity and care.