Evanston Community Cares Food, Essentials & Gift Card Drive
DROP OFF: Saturday November 7th
2pm–4pm
ETHS Field House
PICK UP: Sunday November 8th
12pm–2pm
Wild Kit Drive
STAY IN YOUR CAR
Enter Wild Kit Drive from Lake St
WALK UP PICK UP On Church
Outside on the grass by the fieldhouse
Donations:
Donate to Evanston Community Fridges
In the MEMO/Message write “FOOD Drive” or “Evanston Community Cares”.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Neighbor $500
– Group/ Name mentioned in thank-you social media post.
– Name / Logo on main sponsor display board inside the ETHS Fieldhouse
– Inclusion by name along the route to the field house on Wildkit Drive on Saturday & Sunday.
Community Supporter $1000
– Group/ Name mentioned in thank-you social media post.
– Name / Logo on main sponsor display board inside the ETHS Fieldhouse
– Inclusion by name along the route to the field house on Wildkit Drive on Saturday & Sunday.
– 1 Dedicated social media post on Instagram
Evanston Community Champion $2500
– Logo included on all digital promotional flyers.
– Prominent logo placement on Fieldhouse signage.
– Prominent logo placement on collection banners along the route to the field house on Wildkit Drive on Saturday & Sunday.
– 2 Dedicated social media feature across ECC channels.
– Public thank you in direct community emails to 500 engaged community members.
Community Presenting Partner $5000
– Everything from all other levels
– The opportunity to be named as one of the top sponsors
– Ability to have 3- approved banners prominently displayed along wildkit drive during Saturday’s collection and Sunday’s distribution.
– 2 dedicated social media posts and 1 reel about your business.
In Kind Sponsors Welcome Too!
Contact Valerie Kahan [email protected] to sponsor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Evanston Community Cares, and how did it start?
A: Founded in late 2025 by local organizers Valerie Kahan, Dave Bowen, and Erin Claeys, Evanston Community Cares (ECC) is a grassroots mutual aid coalition built on direct-action, zero-barrier relief. Seeded with an initial $25,000 grant from the City of Evanston, ECC mobilizes residents, student leaders, ETHS educators, local businesses, and mutual aid partners to deliver rapid relief directly to local families.
Q: What is the specific goal for the November 7 & 8 Wildkit Drive?
A: Evanston Community Car4es in Partnership with ETHS will co-host the food drive collection & distribution at the ETHS Fieldhouse and along Wildkit Drive, our goal is to raise $15,000 to assemble and distribute comprehensive food, essential toilet paper/hygiene care boxes, and collect grocery gift cards for our D65 & D202 grocery gift card distribution this holiday season. Collection takes place Saturday, Nov 7 (2–4 PM) and distribution takes place Sunday, Nov 8 (12–2 PM).
Q: How are my sponsorship funds managed, and where do I send payment?
A: All contributions are tax-deductible through our established fiscal agents:
For Food Drives & Bulk Purchasing: Financial contributions are held by Evanston Community Fridges in ECC’s name. Notify us at [email protected], donate via the Evanston Community Fridges website, and write “Food Drive” in the memo line.
For General Operations & ECC Relief Fund: Held and managed by the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF). Go to evanstoncommunitycares.org and click Donate to contribute via ECF, then email [email protected] to confirm. 100% of sponsorship dollars go directly toward community relief with zero organizational overhead.
Q: What are ECC’s long-term strategic goals for 2026/2027?
A: ECC has set a $200,000 annual fundraising goal, split into two core buckets:
$50,000 for Food Drives & Bulk Purchasing: Funding seasonal drives, bulk food wholesale buys, care box packaging, and neighborhood drive-up logistics. 15k allows distribution to 500 families.
$150,000 for the ECC Partner Relief Fund: Supplying direct funding and grocery gift cards for Evanston Community Fridges, Sanctuary Evanston, Evanston Latinos, and D65/D202 students and families.
Q: What happens to any leftover food or supplies after the drive?
A: ECC operates on a zero-waste commitment. 100% of surplus food, hygiene products, or gift cards remaining after the November 8 distribution will immediately restock our partners local pantries and fridges, including Evanston Community Fridges, The RP Love Fridge, Niles Township Food Pantry, and Connections for the Homeless.
