Open Hands

Open Hands is an on-campus ministry that provides clothes, small household items, some non-perishable food (see below) and small electronic appliances (see below) free of charge to graduate students and their families. Faculty wives began this ministry at Trinity over 50 years ago, and the ministry of Open Hands is made possible today by the work and contributions of many people.

Schedule

Mondays, 9am-Noon and 5-7pm
Wednesdays, 9-11am (closes for Chapel) and 5-7pm
Located in Rolfing Library, using the new entrance through the external door on the south side of the library.

Donations

Open Hands accepts donations of gently used or like-new items on this list:

• Clothing of all sizes, including coats, shoes, and cold weather wear
• Household items, including dishes (for eating, mixing, and serving), food storage containers with lids, glasses, cups, spoons, forks, kitchen knives, pots, pans, bed sheets (single, double queen), blankets, and towels
• Toiletries (new/unused items only), including toothpaste, tooth brushes, tissues, body wash, hand sanitizer, shampoo/conditioner, dish washing liquid, washing machine detergent, toilet paper, paper towels
• Non-perishable food items including rice, dry beans, pasta, peanut butter, cereal, tuna, cooking oil (Please do not bring expired goods.)
• Small appliances: electric blender, coffee maker, rice cooker, humidifier

We do not accept large furniture items. There is very little space in the store, so all items must be small enough to hang on a rack or sit on a shelf.

Open Hands no longer accepts baby equipment, strollers, high chairs, cribs, pack&play, swings, and bouncy toys.

Because of our new location inside the library, donations are permitted ONLY during the store’s regular hours of operation noted above. Donations are not to be left anywhere outside of Open Hands, so we can be good neighbors to the library. Note: All donations are tax deductible. Please ask for a receipt inside the store.

Financial contributions, including online or cash donations, may be made through the Advancement office at Trinity. Gifts should be designated for “Open Hands.” Monetary gifts are used to purchase needed items requested by students/families but are not readily available at the moment at Open Hands.

Checks can also be made, payable to Trinity International University, memo line: “Open Hands” and mailed to:

Advancement Office
Trinity International University
2065 Half Day Road
Deerfield, IL 60015

Volunteers

We are always looking for volunteers from local churches to help with donation processing or helping during regular hours. Qualifying students may earn Field Education credit. Contact [email protected] if you would like more information about volunteering.