In-Kind Donations

Mutual Ground is very grateful to our donors who supply us with our regularly needed shelter items such as pantry, cleaning supplies and hygiene items.

When considering donating gently used material goods to Mutual Ground, please ask yourself “Is this item in good enough condition for my child or family?” We take pride in offering our shelter residents and clients quality items.

Donation Drop-off Information

Mutual Ground is a secure facility; therefore, we are unable to accept donations at all times.
Donations of items from our wishlist can be dropped off during our normal weekly donation drop-off times listed below.
If you wish to drop-off a donation at a time not listed below, you must schedule an appointment with Betsy Santana at bsantana@mutualground.org or 630-897-0084 x154.

Drop off location: Mutual Ground - 418 Oak Avenue | Aurora, IL 60506

Drop-off Times
Mondays: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesdays: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Saturdays: 9:00am - 11:00am

Drop-off Procedure: Enter campus from driveway off of West Park Avenue and stop your car at Door #2.
Ring the “bell” on the Donate Here sandwich board.

Donation receipts are available – please request one if not offered.

CAN MY DONATION BE PICKED UP? Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to accommodate pick-ups.

Donate from our Amazon Wishlist! Shop conveniently online and ship donations directly to Mutual Ground.


Donations can be shipped to:
Mutual Ground | 418 Oak Avenue | Aurora, IL, 60506

Mutual Ground’s Wishlist

**Please review our Wishlist and list of items we are not accepting. If items you are wishing to donated are not on these lists please contact Betsy Santana to ensure we can accept items you are donating at bsantana@mutualground.org or 630-897-0084 x154.

  • Gift Cards

    ● Store Cards: Amazon/Target/Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc.)
    ● Fast Food Gift Cards
    ❤️ Gas cards valued at $20+
    ❤️ Uber/Lyft Gift Cards – valued $25 or $50

    Household/Cleaning Products:

    ● Toilet Paper
    ● Paper Towels
    ● Kleenex – regular & pocket
    ● Hand Soap
    ● Disposable cutlery
    ● Disposable plates/bowls, etc.
    ● Trash Bags – all sizes
    ● Ziplock Bags — all sizes
    ❤️ Disinfecting Wipes
    ❤️ Lysol Spray
    ❤️ Floor Cleaner
    ❤️ Bathroom Cleaning Products
    ● Laundry Detergent - pods
    ● Fabric Softener - liquid
    ● Dish Detergent - liquid
    ● Dish Detergent - pods
    ● Plastic Laundry Baskets
    ● Mops
    ● Brooms/Dust pans
    ● Swiffer refills
    ● Bedding: Pillows (standard size), Pillow Protectors, Mattress Pads/Covers (regular twin), Sheet Sets/Pillowcases (regular twin), Comforters/Blankets
    ● Towels (new): Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Wash Rags

    Personal Care (full sizes/family sizes):

    ● Bar Soap
    ● Loofas
    ❤️ Body Wash
    ❤️ Shampoo/Conditioner - including multicultural brands
    ❤️ Lotions
    ❤️ Vaseline
    ❤️ Chapstick
    ● Razors
    ● Shaving Cream (women & men)
    ● Combs
    ● Brushes/Roller Hair Brushes

    Pantry Items (Unexpired/Unopened):

    ❤️ Sugar
    ❤️ Fruit juice (plastic container or individual sized)
    ● Ground Coffee
    ● Powdered Creamer – plain or flavored
    ● Canned Soups
    ● Dry Cereals
    ❤️ Snacks: Fruit Cups, Jell-O Cups, Pudding Cups, Granola Bars, Fruit Snacks
    ❤️ Crackers
    ❤️ Cookies

    Items for Baby (New):

    ❤️ Baby Wipes
    ● Diaper Cream
    ● Baby Shampoo/Bodywash
    ● Onesies/Clothing
    ● Crib Mattress Pad Protectors
    ● Crib Sheets (new)

    Clothing

    ❤️ Pajamas for Adults and Children (All Sizes)
    ❤️ Socks for Adults and Children (All Sizes - new)
    ❤️ Underwear for Adult and Children (All Sizes - new)
    ❤️ Bras (All Sizes)

    Dental Care (Unexpired/Unopened):

    ● Toothbrushes
    ● Toothpaste (children/adult)
    ● Dental Floss
    ● Mouthwash

    Other Items

    ● Disposable Underwear
    ● Eye Masks – for sleep
    ● Earplugs – for sleep
    ● Make-up Remover/Wipes
    ● Nail Clippers/Files
    ● Headphones (all types, Bluetooth, wired, etc.)
    ● Hair Dryers
    ● Flat Irons

  • New or gently used scrubs

    New or gently used shoes

    New or gently used kitchen or household appliances

  • Gently Used Clothing

    Used stuffed animals

    Used bedding

    Mattresses

    Opened or expired food or hygiene items

    Travel size products

    ***Large household furniture – however, you may send an email to kballard@mutualground.org, with a description of the furniture (and picture if possible). We can share it with our staff to see if they have a client in need. They then communicate with you to set up pickup.

    Here are other organizations in our area accepting donations:

    Hesed House
    Metropolitan Family Services
    Serendipity Resale Shop
    Wayside Cross

Other Donations

  • Car Donations

    Mutual Ground is delighted to partner with Cars of Hope for our car donations. This partnership allows us to provide additional support to clients in need of transportation.

    Donated cars are evaluated and necessary repairs are made, if repairs are too costly cars are sold at auction and funds are used to repair other cars in the program. Additional funds raised are used to support other repairs and cars.

    To donate a car to Mutual Ground please contact Cars of Hope at (224) 216-CARS and let them know you were directed by Mutual Ground.

  • Cellphone or Tablet Donations

    Have any old cellphones or tablets you no longer use? Drop them off at Mutual Ground to be recycled! This campaign helps provide extra financial support to Mutual Ground. We will recycle cellphones of any age, condition, or value.