For more than 10 years, COD Cares has actively supported our neighbors, collaborating with local businesses and nonprofits while fostering a culture of service among College employees, students and community members.
We proudly continue the tradition of service as we look forward to planting more gardens, preparing new transitional housing units, collecting clothing and food for those in need and sharing our time and energy with the community that so graciously supports our educational mission because COD Cares!
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Gift of Giving 2025
We Gnome What You're Looking For
Through Dec. 10, sign up for an off-campus service project, fulfill a wish list or pop into a pop-up activity. Bring together your office, department, class or friends. Ready! Set! GNOME!
COD Cares/Gift of Giving Events
Agency Wish Lists
Local service agencies need our support to help their clients through the winter months. Household necessities and winter clothing are the most frequently requested items, while toys and baby essentials are always appreciated. Gather your team and reserve an agency by selecting a first and second choice from the list below. Confirmation will be sent to you along with the agency’s full wish list.
All donations due by Dec. 10:
- 360 Youth Services - baby and household items
- Abundant Children and Family Service Agency - grocery or super-store gift cards
- DuPage Pads - seasonal clothing, single serving food, personal care and household items
- DuPage Senior Citizens Council - pet food and people snacks
- Family Shelter Service - cold weather gear, household items
- Humanitarian Service Project: Children’s Project-games and toys for children ages 3 to 15
- Humanitarian Service Project: Senior Citizen Project-food and personal hygiene items
- Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Relief - new winter clothing and blankets
- Kids Above All - crafts, sports equipment, games and books for pre-teens and teens
- Metropolitan Family Services - winter clothing for kids and adults
- Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans - household and personal care items
- Naperville Area Humane Society - pet food and treats
- Operation Support Our Troops - playing cards, non-perishables and personal care items
- People’s Resource Center: Share the Spirit-family games, children’s books and new blankets
- Phil’s Friends - socks, puzzle books, journals and blankets for those affected by cancer
- Sharing Connections - books, toys and family board games
- Teen Parent Connection - baby items and personal care gifts for young parents
- The Outreach House - youth and adult winter coats, diapers and non-perishable food.
Feed the Need Food Drive Challenge
Food insecurity is hitting hard this year. Join the McAninch Arts Center and COD Cares to support College of DuPage’s Fuel Pantry and the People’s Resource Center Pantry.
We’re competing in the second annual Illinois Community College Board Feed the Need Food Drive Challenge—a friendly competition among participating colleges. Every nonperishable food item or personal care product donated through Dec. 1 counts toward our goal of feeding people and winning the challenge.
Drop off donations at the MAC Giving Tree, SRC Cafeteria entrance, Student Life Office or Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 1500.
Drop Gnomes Across Campus
Large or small, every donation can help bring joy, alleviate hunger or keep someone warm this season. Join drives across campus:
- Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans sponsored by COD Veterans Student Services
- Toys for Tots in partnership with SLEA
- Family Shelter Service-Metropolitan Family Services coat drive supported by CODFA and CODAA
- Humanitarian Service Project new children’s books collected at the Carol Stream Center
