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 supply levels, 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.

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!

Visitor’s Lobby (Kilbourn Avenue and 19th Street — directions HERE)

Hours : open Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm; Saturday from 9am-5pm; CLOSED Sunday and holidays

Items Accepted :

      • Monetary donations
      • Seasonal non-monetary donations
        • School supplies
        • Thanksgiving food
        • New toys

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:

      • Used toys & stuffed animals
      • Furniture and home decoration items
      • Christmas trees
      • Baby cribs
      • Large appliances
      • Older televisions
      • Used mattresses
      • Used blankets
      • Homemade baked goods

For a more comprehensive list of unacceptable items, please click here.

Not sure if we can use your donation? Call 414.344.2211 and ask!