Almost Home

Almost Home A non-profit organization dedicated to helping the needy, poor, homeless and broken. Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Who are we?

Almost Home is A NFP organization dedicated to helping the poor, needy, homeless and broken. More specifically we help those living on the streets and families who are experiencing true financial hardship. What are we doing?

-Providing food to our friends experiencing food insecurity. Opened a store offering food/baby/pet/toiletry items for families and friends on the street. Helping our neighbo

rs who have fallen on hard times. What do we need?

-Donations of new items can be accepted at Almost Home’s free store at Alive Church in Oak Lawn. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

-Financial donations to continue our mission of helping everyone who needs a little bit of help (PayPal, Facebook).

-Our friends and community members to like and share Almost Home’s page. You can also find us at www.almosthomechicago.org

Together we will do good things. Sarah and Friends

Hello Everyone, Happy TuesdayThe last two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind at Almost Home. Between emails, texts, v...
06/03/2026

Hello Everyone, Happy Tuesday

The last two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind at Almost Home. Between emails, texts, voicemails, and walk-ins, the influx of requests has been a bit overwhelming. But behind every single request is a neighbor in need, and thanks to your past support, we’ve been able to say "yes" to so many.

Just look at what our community has accomplished together recently:

Keeping families fed: Bought groceries ($56) for a mom and her three kids, and stepped in to cook/purchase Stone Soup Kitchen Dinner ($487) when we didn’t have a scheduled food team. Photos below are the amazing Almost Home Volunteers who jump in to help serve💙

Providing a place to rest: Purchased blow-up mattresses ($121) for a mom and her children.

Supporting employment & independence: Filled over 20 bus cards ($400 total) and provided gas money ($25) for a mom to get to a job interview.

Staying connected: Covered three phone bills for friends—two actively interviewing for jobs and one elderly friend whose phone is his only link to the outside world. $242

Lending a helping hand: Paid for an elderly friend’s storage unit ($207) and ordered a replacement part to fix a neighbor's bicycle—their only source of transportation. $12

Current Urgent Need: We need your help to keep a family housed.

Right now, a mom and her daughter are facing a crisis and need over $1,000 to cover the rent for their trailer. Almost Home is trying to step in and cover $500 of that, but after the intense demand of the last two weeks, our funding is running incredibly low.

If you feel it on your heart to make a financial donation today, no matter the size, you will be directly keeping this family housed and allowing us to keep answering the phone when our neighbors call.

You can send a donation using PayPal at www.PayPal.me/almosthomechicago, our website at www.almosthomeChicago.org, or Venmo

We are also in need of shower passes for the oak lawn pavilion $90. We have 2 left and with the warm weather these are asked for quite often.

Summer Food Teams Needed!

Speaking of community dinners—we have a lot of open slots for Food Teams over the summer. If you have never cooked or served dinner at Almost Home before, we promise it will fill your heart as much as it fills our friends' bellies. For many in our community, this is the only hot meal they get all week long.

Gather your family, your coworkers, or your church group and sign up to cook a meal!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A48A9AF29A4FFC07-52823429-stone

Thank you for always standing with us, supporting our friends, and showing our community such kindness 🫶

Thank you for helping us, help our friends.
💙Jamie

Hello Everyone We still have many dates available for the summer, if you are interested in signing up to serve dinner he...
05/31/2026

Hello Everyone

We still have many dates available for the summer, if you are interested in signing up to serve dinner here at Almost Home on a Monday night. :)

Monday Dinner at Soup Kitchen is truly the best and my favorite day of the week. I love to have all our friends together, talking, laughing, and enjoying a good meal. These dinners are so important and mean so much to our friends, as this is the only Hot Meal many of them receive each week. All are welcome to join, I sure hope to see you all there.

Things to know:

•Teams should have 4 to 8 adults, children are welcome to help, too.

•You will need to provide dinner for 60+ adults and children.

•Half of our teams cater and the other half cook. It doesn't matter to us as long as it arrives right around 4:30pm hot and ready-to-eat.

•Teams need to plan on arriving at 4:30 and then staying until clean-up is over, around 7:00pm.

•Your team provides the food and the beverages, we provide everything else (paper products, utensils, tablecloths, to-go containers and so on).

If you are interested in helping but cannot commit to cooking and serving dinner, maybe you would like to make lunches for our friends to take when they leave the Soup Kitchen. This gives them an additional meal for the next day and can be dropped off on Mondays by 5pm at Trinity Church. Lunches would include something like a sandwich (any kind) or crackers and tuna, a snack (Fruit Snack, Chips, Granola bar, or piece of fruit etc.) and a drink (Water Bottle and a drop in, or Juice Box).

We are also always in need paper plates, bowls, plastic silverware, and table clothes for Soup Kitchen. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/9FOQD3WV34HG?ref_=wl_share

Just let me know and I can add you to the calendar, or you can click on the my sign-up link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A48A9AF29A4FFC07-52823429-stone

Thank you

💙Jamie

🇺🇸 Happy Memorial Day from all of us at Almost Home! 🇺🇸Today, we pause to honor, remember, and give thanks to the brave ...
05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Memorial Day from all of us at Almost Home! 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to honor, remember, and give thanks to the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We are profoundly grateful for their service and dedication.

Community and connection mean everything to us, especially on days like today. If you or someone you know is looking for a hot meal and a welcoming place to spend the evening, please join us.

Dinner is served at 5pm. You are invited, you are welcome, and you are wanted.

💙Jamie

GROWING WITH GRATITUDEIt’s amazing to look back at how far we’ve come. Two years ago, this journey started right in my o...
05/15/2026

GROWING WITH GRATITUDE

It’s amazing to look back at how far we’ve come. Two years ago, this journey started right in my own backyard, where I set up a small garden to grow fresh food for our community. We also had other churches and neighbors who garden drop off goodies for our friends.

Last year, thanks to the wonderful Oak Lawn Park District, we were able to transition into a bigger space at the Oak Lawn Community Garden. And this year? We just keep on expanding!

We got a super early start this season! The cooler-weather vegetables went into the ground back in April, and they are already growing like crazy.

To make things even better, we have an absolutely massive thank you to send out to Home Depot in Chicago Ridge! They completely blew us away with an amazing donation of over 70 fruit and vegetable plants to help us expand our rows and grow even more food this season.

From a few backyard dirt beds to a thriving community initiative, I couldn't be more thankful. This is truly amazing. Thank you to everyone who is helping us grow hope and nourishment for our community.

💙 Jamie

Hello Everyone, It takes a village, and we are incredibly blessed to have C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co. in ours. We want to...
05/15/2026

Hello Everyone,

It takes a village, and we are incredibly blessed to have C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co. in ours.

We want to extend a massive thank you to their team for their overwhelming generosity. They recently hosted a collection drive for Almost Home, made a wonderful financial donation to support our programs, and rolled up their sleeves to serve hot, fresh meals to our friends at the Soup Kitchen.

Your hands-on dedication to fighting food insecurity and homelessness makes a tangible difference in people's lives. You all are amazing, and we appreciate your continued partnership. Thank you for helping us help our friends!

💙Jamie

Hello Everyone,A massive thank you to Univar Solutions for their incredible dedication to our community. Every single qu...
05/15/2026

Hello Everyone,

A massive thank you to Univar Solutions for their incredible dedication to our community. Every single quarter, the Univar team steps up to collect essential items for Almost Home, ensuring we can continue supporting our neighbors facing homelessness and food insecurity.

You are truly amazing, and we appreciate your continued support more than words can say. Thank you for helping us help our friends! Together, we are making a real difference.

💙 Jamie

Hello Everyone, Monday evenings are truly the highlight of my week. I always head home with a heart overflowing with joy...
05/13/2026

Hello Everyone,

Monday evenings are truly the highlight of my week. I always head home with a heart overflowing with joy, knowing that our friends are leaving with their spirits lifted and their bellies full.

We often hear that it takes a village, but here, it takes a family of compassionate volunteers to create this kind of Love. Every Monday, our building is transformed into a sanctuary of hope—a place where everyone belongs—and we simply couldn’t do it without you.

To Our Kind-Hearted Setup Team
A massive thank you to the crew that arrives early to prepare for our guests. k:

A Warm Welcome: The kitchen is ready to serve, creating an environment that feels like home.

The Clothing Pantry: Our neighbors can find fresh clothes in a space that is organized and respectful.

Careful Preparation: Costco donations are sorted with thoughtfulness and care.

Comfort to Go: Those Chick-fil-A meals are tucked away and ready for our friends to take with them.

To Our Wonderful Food Teams

You are the heartbeat of these nights. Whether you are pouring your soul into a home-cooked meal or providing a beautiful catered spread, you are giving so much more than a meal—you are providing a sense of worth and belonging.

Dinner: A hot, comforting meal served with a genuine smile.

Tuesday’s Lunch: A "made with love" bag for our friends to carry with them so they stay cared for tomorrow.

So much love goes into every Monday, and I am constantly reminded that we couldn't do any of this without each and every one of you.

To our volunteers: You aren’t just giving your time; you are sharing your light. Thank you for making sure our community is fed, clothed, and—most importantly—deeply loved.

💙Jamie

Hello Everyone,Our Neighbors Are at a Breaking Point 💔I’ll be honest with you: I haven't been able to sleep. Our communi...
05/05/2026

Hello Everyone,

Our Neighbors Are at a Breaking Point 💔

I’ll be honest with you: I haven't been able to sleep. Our community is facing a level of need I have never seen before, and right now, our funds are completely depleted.

We have worked tirelessly to keep families afloat, but with the rising cost of gas, the decrease in LINK benefits, and skyrocketing grocery prices, our friends are being pushed to the edge. These aren't just statistics; these are hardworking people who are doing everything right and still falling behind.

The Reality of Today:
We have a list of immediate needs that we simply cannot meet without your help. Here is who your donations will support today:

A Mother & her 14-year-old daughter: Living in a motel. She works as a paraprofessional in our schools, but she is $506 short for this week’s stay. Without this, they are on the street.

A Single Mom escaping abuse: She needs specific groceries for her child with sensory disorders, plus clothes and toiletries to start over.

Preventing Homelessness: We have a single mom of two (one with disabilities) who needs $150 for rent to avoid eviction and $118 for her electric bill.

Keeping the Lights On: An "Almost Home" friend needs $200 to prevent their electricity from being disconnected.

Transportation Crisis: A single mom needs $410 for her car payment so she doesn't lose her only way to get to work. Other friends living in their vehicles can no longer afford the gas to get their kids to school.

Basic Connection: A new friend needs just $40 to keep her phone active so she can receive calls for job interviews.

How You Can Help:
We are working on long-term fundraisers to create a steady stream of support, but these families cannot wait for a future event. They need us now.

Donate Directly: Every dollar goes straight to these specific bills—rent, utilities, and gas cards.

Gift Cards: Gas cards and grocery cards are like gold right now.

Share This Post: You never know who in your circle has been looking for a way to make a direct, life-changing impact.

We’ve helped so many, but we can’t stop now. Please, help us ensure our friends that a mother and daughter have a bed tonight and a hardworking parent can get to their job tomorrow.

You can send a donation using PayPal at www.PayPal.me/almosthomechicago, our website at www.almosthomeChicago.org, or Venmo

Thank you for all your support, together, we are the safety net.

💙Jamie

Monday Night are my favorite and I always leave with a full heart and our friends leave with a full belly. They say it ...
05/02/2026

Monday Night are my favorite and I always leave with a full heart and our friends leave with a full belly.

They say it takes a village, but around here, it takes an incredible team of dedicated volunteers to make the magic happen. Every Monday, our building transforms into a hub of hope, and we couldn’t do it without you!

To Our Setup Superstars

A massive thank you to the crew that arrives early every Monday to get us mission-ready. Because of you:

The Soup Kitchen is perfectly prepped and welcoming.

The Clothing Pantry is organized and ready for our neighbors to find what they need.

Donations from Costco are sorted and processed with care.

Those Chick-fil-A chicken meals are packed and ready for our friends to take home.

To Our Amazing Food Teams

You are the heart of Monday nights! Whether you are cooking from scratch or catering a beautiful spread, you provide more than just calories—you provide dignity.

Dinner: A warm, delicious meal served with a smile.

Lunch: A "made with love" meal for our friends to take with them for Tuesday.

So much goes into Monday nights, and I truly couldn't do it without the help of every single one of you.

To our volunteers: You aren't just giving your time; you are changing lives. Thank you for making sure our community is fed, clothed, and loved.

💙Much Love Jamie

A Smashing Success! We are still buzzing from the incredible energy at the South Side Smash and D**k Tournament fundrais...
04/23/2026

A Smashing Success!

We are still buzzing from the incredible energy at the South Side Smash and D**k Tournament fundraiser! It was such a fantastic day meeting so many amazing people who stepped up to support our mission at Almost Home.

Because of your generosity, we’ve raised vital funds that allow us to continue helping our friends in the community. Whether you competed, cheered, or donated—you are making a tangible difference!

A Heartfelt Thank You 💙

A massive shout-out to all of our sponsors whose support made this event possible. Your commitment to our community is truly inspiring.

Spoke and Vine Wine Bar 💕
Hot Shots Sports 💙
Wanderly Adventures - Courtney Ashley 💜
Fry the Coop 💚
The Brick Tavern ❤️

We also want to send a special "great big thank you" to John Dwyer. Not only did John put this entire event together, but he also took the time to come out to Almost Home and volunteer at our soup kitchen. Seeing his dedication to learning about our work firsthand means the world to us.

Together, we are proving that when the community comes together, we can do great things. Thank you for helping us help our friends. .

💙Jamie

Address

8844 S. Austin Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL
60453

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17087892911

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Almost Home posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Almost Home:

Shortcuts

Share

Category