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ADD A COLLECTION TO YOUR NEXT SERVICE

  1. Add this item to your cart.
  2. Pack a standard paper grocery bag full of accepted non-perishable food.
  3. On the outside of the paper bag, write "For WasteNot" so our team knows it's for us.
  4. Place the labeled paper grocery bag next to your WasteNot bucket on a regularly scheduled service day.
  5. Our team will collect your items and deliver them to Common Pantry.

GET INVOLVED / DONATE MONETARILY

VOLUNTEER at Common Pantry

DONATE monetarily to Common Pantry

Help reduce food insecurity year-round with WasteNot's newest collection, powered by our partner, Common Pantry. 

WasteNot members can place a bag of non-perishable food items and hygiene products alongside their WasteNot bucket on regularly scheduled service days. Our team will collect and deliver your donations directly to our community partner, Common Pantry, to help combat the food crisis and serve our Chicago neighbors.

$3.00
$3.00
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MOST NEEDED FOOD ITEMS

  • Cereal & Nuts

  • Rice & Beans

  • Crackers

  • Ground Coffee

  • Tea

  • Cooking Oils

  • Gluten Free Pantry Items

  • Pasta Sauce

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OTHER ACCEPTED FOOD ITEMS

  • Condiments, Sauces & Dressing

  • Nut Butters, Jams, & Jellies

  • Canned Fruits & Veggies

  • Oats, Quinoa, & Grains

  • Granola & Snack Bars

  • Dry Pasta

  • Herbs & Spices

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ACCEPTED PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

  • Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, & Mouthwash

  • Razors & Dedorant

  • Soaps & Shampoos

  • Diapers & Baby Wipes

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NOT ACCEPTED

Please do not donate any opened or expired items. Perishable items like meat, dairy and eggs also cannot be accepted. 

MORE INFORMATION

How This Collection Works

- Add this item to your cart.
- Pack a standard paper grocery bag full of accepted non-perishable food.
- On the outside of the paper bag, write "For WasteNot" so our team knows it's for us.
- Place the labeled paper grocery bag next to your WasteNot bucket on a regularly scheduled service day.
- Our team will collect your items and deliver them to Common Pantry.

Size & Specs

Donated food must fit within a standard paper grocery bag. If you have more food than will fit into a single bag, please add more than one item to your cart.

Printable List of Accepted Items

Click here to print a list of all accepted items. 

Avoiding Contamination - Help Keep This Collection Clean!

Please take time to ensure each item placed in the Textiles bag is among our list of accepted items. Placing the wrong items in the bag has significant human and environmental impacts.

If the bag contains contamination (especially damp, smelly fabrics) it is possible the entirety of its contents will not be able to be processed. 

The goal of this collection is to provide high quality donations that help address clothing insecurity across Chicago. While non-donatable items are accepted and recycled, please consider that every item is hand sorted by volunteers at Cradles to Crayons. Donating high-quality items helps maximize the impact of this service.

If you have any questions or doubts about whether an item can be included, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team at HQ@wastenotcompost.com.

YOUR IMPACT

pounds of food donated

1,593

WasteNot members donated 1,593lbs of food to Common Pantry and over 1.5 tons of food in total during our food drive last year. 

households facing food insecurity

1/3

One in every three Chicago households are facing food insecurity. Organizations, like Common Pantry, work to combat food insecurity and its root causes and challenges

chicagoans without snap benefits

196,000

Nearly 196,000 Chicagoans have lost access to SNAP benefits since program cuts in July 2025. Now more than ever, supporting organizations like Common Pantry is a vital part of caring for our community.

years serving chicago

59

Common Pantry has been combatting hunger and food insecurity in the Chicago Northside since 1967.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COLLECTION

Who are you partnering with? What happens with the donations?

WasteNot is collaborating with Common Pantry to provide this collection service. Common Pantry meets community needs with dignity by providing nutritious food, nutrition education, and social services that address food insecurity and its root causes. It has been providing healthy food and support for a strong community in Chicago’s North Side since 1967. Its work helps serve over 1,000 households every month. 

You can learn more about Common Pantry here. 

Who is eligible for this collection?

Currently, all residential WasteNot members who receive either weekly or bi-weekly compost collection in the Chicagoland area are eligible for this service. We are not able to collect items from non-members at this time. However, non-members and ineligible members may drop off their items in-person at the Common Pantry.

What is accepted in this collection?

Check out our complete list of accepted items here.

What do I need to do to prepare for collection?

Fill up any paper grocery bag with accepted items. Please write FOR WASTENOT on your bag so our operators know it is intended for WasteNot. They will not take the bag if it is not clearly labelled. Place the paper bag on top of or near your bucket in your regular service location. The bag will be collected along with the service of your compost bucket.

What if the collection fails due to my bucket being missing or inaccessible?

If your bucket is inaccessible or missing, but the collection bag is accessible to our operator, we will collect the bag.

When will the bag be collected?

The bag of food & personal hygiene items will be collected on the service date directly following your order.

Will my bucket also be serviced?

Yes. 

What if all of my items do not fit within a single grocery bag?

If you have more items than fits into a standard paper grocery bag, you can add multiple collections to your cart. 

What if I forgot to put out my bucket but did remember to put out the bag? 

Don’t worry, your bag of items will still be collected!

Can I sign up for a recurring subscription?

No, not currently. The Common Pantry Collection program is only available as a one-time, add-on service. However, there is no limit on the number of collection bags you may purchase. 

Can I order more than one collection and/or put more than one bag of items out with my bucket?

There is no limit to the amount of collection bags you may order at one time. Be sure to check out the accepted items list to make sure you are not filling the bag with items that do not belong in this collection stream.