Often, when our neighbors who are hungry and homeless arrive at our door, all they own are the clothes they’re wearing. Thanks to donations from friends like you, we’re usually able to meet their physical needs right on the spot. But our shelves aren’t always full, and we are often in need of items in the lists below.
(Any seasonal items received above our current need will be used throughout the year to help our struggling neighbors.)
URGENT NEEDS
Some items are distributed more quickly than others, depending on inventory, weather and numbers of guests. As a result, there is a more desperate need of certain items than others. Can you help? Click HERE for a list of our most urgently needed items.
YEAR-ROUND NEEDS
We serve hundreds of homeless neighbors each night — and, to stay ready for more who might suddenly come through our doors, we always need items like toiletries, clothing, household supplies and food. Click HERE to check out our list of items needed all year round.
SEASONAL NEEDS
From school supplies to Thanksgiving food baskets to Christmas toys, YOU can make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling by providing much needed seasonal items. Click HERE to check out our seasonal needs.
Thank you for any contribution you are able to make!
For a list of items we are unable to accept, please click here.
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS:
*Please note: our Visitor’s Lobby and Distribution (Donation) Center will be
closed on New Years Day 01/01/2025.
They will reopen Thursday, 01/02/2025 at 8am in the VL and 10am in the DC.*
Distribution Center and Pantry (Kilbourn Avenue and 18th Street — directions HERE)
Hours :
Distribution Center — open Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm; CLOSED Saturday, Sunday and holidays (click HERE for holiday closing list)
Pantry — All Pantry donations are now made through our Distribution Center; please refer to the above hours.
Items Accepted :
Distribution Center
- NEW or LIKE NEW clothing donations
- New personal care / hygiene items
- Gently used and / or new shoes
- Fashion accessories like belts and hats
Pantry
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Milk, juice and bottled water
- Lunch meats and frozen beef, poultry
- Lunch snacks (fruit, cereal bars, etc.)
- See full list HERE
**Please note that we are unfortunately no longer able to accept homemade baked goods; however, we are still accepting baked goods made in commercial facilities and prepackaged baked goods. Thank you for understanding!
We also accept donations by mail!
Feel free to send donations to us by mail, addressing deliveries to:
Milwaukee Rescue Mission
Attn: Distribution Center
830 N 19th St
Milwaukee WI 53233
DONATION RESTRICTIONS
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept the following items:
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- Used toys & stuffed animals
- Furniture and home decoration items
- Christmas trees
- Baby cribs
- Large appliances
- Older televisions
- Used mattresses
- Used blankets
- Homemade baked goods
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For a more comprehensive list of unacceptable items, please click here.
