Email donations@pilsenfoodpantry.com to schedule a donation.

- DONATIONS ABANDONED OUTSIDE CANNOT BE USED -

El Mercadito Gratis

We need your help! Please sign up to volunteer at El Mercadito here.

THE NEW MERCADITO GRATIS IS LOCATED AT 2124 S. ASHLAND AVE (21ST PLACE ENTRANCE)

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THE NEW MERCADITO GRATIS IS LOCATED AT 2124 S. ASHLAND AVE (21ST PLACE ENTRANCE) ~

El Mercadito Gratis is for anyone in need of gently used clothes, housewares, and bedding.

  • No appointment is needed

  • Clients must register for services

  • IDs and phone numbers are required to use El Mercadito

  • Clients are able to visit El Mercadito every four weeks

  • Persons interested in a pay-what-you-can model may use El Mercadito as a thrift store.

HOW TO DONATE:

  1. Review the donations list and focus on what is in high demand (space is limited).

  2. Clothes and items should be clean, not broken, and in good condition.

  3. Clothes need to be in season.

  4. Extra credit for sorting clothes by size, gender, ages. Bonus credit for labeling your bags!

  5. Donations may be dropped off during pantry and Mercadito hours (Sun-Fri).

  6. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS OUTSIDE. They usually are broken into and dirtied, then we cannot use them.

  7. Questions? Email donations@pilsenfoodpantry.com

Store Hours
Sunday 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Monday 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Thursday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Friday CLOSED
Saturday CLOSED
Download Mercadito Flyer

HELP US BY SPONSORING A DRIVE!

  1. Review our donation needs and figure out what is most feasible for you/your group. Please plan ahead!!!!

  2. Email donations@pilsenfoodpantry.com to let us know you are planning a drive. Coordinate a timeline with us.

  3. Create a flier and distribute widely - tag us on your social media.

  4. Collect items and organize them as much as possible (size, gender) and be sure donations are clean and in good condition. We cannot wash clothing or housewares. Throwing away items incurs a cost to us, so please examine donations carefully.

  5. Drop off your donations during operational hours. If the donation is large (>3 garbage bags), please schedule it so that staff/volunteers can help store it safely.

  6. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE DONATIONS OUTSIDE - THEY CANNOT BE USED!

Top Needs

  • Men’s clothing (all sizes)

  • Winter clothes (all genders & sizes, including coats, gloves, and hats)

  • Clothing: new underwear for girls, boys, women, and men (all sizes)

  • Kitchenware: can openers, blenders, pressure cookers, stock pots, pots, pans, cutting boards, dishes, cups, glasses, utensils, kitchen towels

  • Housewares: bath towels, bed sheets & pillowcases, blankets, new pillows

Mercadito Policies

  • Clients can visit El Mercadito once every four weeks

  • Masks are optional

  • There is a limit of 5 visitors inside El Mercadito at one time

  • There is a 20-minute shopping limit when other clients are in line

  • Clothing limits change and are based on current inventory

  • Clothes cannot be tried on

  • Sorry - No Returns

  • We will do our best to help clients shopping with children

    For Case Workers

  • You are welcome to shop on behalf of clients who are unable to visit El Mercadito Gratis in person. A valid ID is required. You must register each of your clients.

    If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us at donations@pilsenfoodpantry.com.

Thrift Shop Pricing

Clothes at El Mercadito Gratis are always free. If you feel inclined to donate to El Mercadito in return for clothing, you are welcome to pay what you can.

To donate to El Mercadito Gratis, click here.