MAYFAIR — People looking to help migrants settling on the Northwest Side can donate supplies at a one-day event next week.
Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th), the Irish American Heritage Center, community groups and Northwest Side leaders are hosting a donation drive 3-7 p.m. Monday at the center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., to collect items for migrants.
People can donate medical items, personal hygiene products, educational materials, food and water, event organizers said.
Items in particular need are lice shampoo; yeast infection medication; fever reducers or pain relievers for infants, kids, and adults; and hygiene items such as pads, shampoo, deodorant and diapers.
Educational items for kids like books, pencils and crayons are also welcome, organizers said.
The donations will go to migrants staying at Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave., the newest city-run shelter for migrants, said representatives for Nugent’s office. Donations will also go to newly arrived families who are staying at the 16th and 17th Police District stations and a respite center at North Park Village.
“We are working with the city and community-based organizations on distribution and donation collection,” officials said in a statement.
This weekend, more than 300 people moved into Wright College’s gym and atrium as it was turned into a temporary shelter. The college will house families in need until Aug. 1, officials have said.
Migrants are receiving social services support, medical care, mental health support and other assistance while they wait to get asylum and eventually a work permit, city officials said at a contentious meeting last week regarding the city’s plan to use the college as a shelter.
Nearly 9,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August, many fleeing economically and politically devastated nations like Venezuela and Colombia in hopes of finding jobs to provide for their families, many have told Block Club.
Neighbors wanting to help who can’t come to the donation drive can buy items online or donate to mutual aid groups working with the families and alderpeople.
The city has partnered with Instituto del Progreso Latino to create an Amazon wishlist from which people can buy supplies for migrants, including pants, shoes, shirts, hoodies, backpacks, razor blades, shower shoes and laundry bags.
Donations made through the wishlist will assist people staying in Dunning, Jesús Del Toro, project manager for the city’s Office of New Americans, said at the meeting.
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