Luggage for Freedom

Luggage for Freedom (LFF) is an initiative of NCJW Chicago North Shore Section. LFF’s goal is to provide a sense of dignity to women who are staying at and transitioning out of domestic violence and homeless shelters by giving them a suitcase packed with personal and household items along with filled backpacks for their children.

LFF provides gently used luggage packed with new towels, sheets, and toiletries to women leaving local shelters to start their lives anew. We also provide backpacks filled with books, blankets and other items for children. In 2024, we packed approximately 375 suitcases and 50 backpacks and delivered them to 11 local shelters. LFF has the incredible ability to directly impact women and children in a positive way, at a time when they are most vulnerable.

Ways to Participate:

• Make a monetary donation, click here https://ncjwcns.org/donate/ and select Luggage for Freedom from the drop-down menu.
  • • Your donation of $36 will provide a filled suitcase for a woman in need.
    • Your donation of $36 will purchase and fill a backpack for a child in need.
    • Your generous donation of any amount will be used to purchase items as needed.
• Purchase items from our Amazon Wish List using the following link: https://a.co/9MKPSkp. Donations will be shipped directly to us.
• Create  dignity bags and fleece blankets to use at our next packing day.
• Purchase and deliver the following items:
  • New or gently used backpacks
  • New towels (bath, hand, facecloth)
  • Full size unopened toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, bodywash/bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, tampons, pads)
  • New stuffed animals

Please bring all donations to Irv’s Luggage during business hours, Mon – Sat 10-5 and Sundays 12-4.

Irv’s Luggage. 1322 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills, IL 60061

To inquire about volunteer opportunities, please email [email protected]