(g)love works because it is so simple. All it takes is a willingness to walk up to someone and offer a CarePack. There are no forms to fill out. No restraints to giving. This is volunteering in its simplest form.
The (g)love story
(g)love began in 2001 when a group of friends aiming to help Chicago's homeless began handing out pairs of gloves. Walking the streets of Chicago, volunteers had the opportunity to talk to homeless individuals and begin to experience their needs and hardships—the makeshift communities, the people, and most notably,the cold—if only for a short time.
(g)Love began with 50 pairs of gloves in 2001; since then, over 1,200 CarePacks were distributed in the 2009-2010 season. The support for (g)love has grown from a handful of friends to numerous outside volunteers—including student groups, universities, sororities/fraternities and families—who come back year after year to show they care. A network of wholesalers and companies provide gear and supplies as a donation or at-cost.
Our wishlist of items includes: hats, gloves, socks, bars of soap, and granola bars. If you are able to provide any of these items, we can help arrange for pick up or drop off. Please email
careteam@mgrf.org for more information.
Give a little (g)love
Here are three great ways to show your (g)love:
- Make - Show some (g)love by crafting a hat or scarf for Chicago's homeless.
Groups of knitters and crocheters show their support through charity knit and crochet hats and scarves as a part of handmade with(g)love. To receive more information about handmade with (g)love emailcareteam@mgrf.org.
- Join- Help pack and distribute CarePacks full of cold-weather gear on select Saturdays.
In volunteering with (g)love, you'll see how your service makes winter a little warmer for Chicago's homeless. Please email careteam@mgrf.org to volunteer.
