I am cleaning out my bathroom and have a stack of never-used and barely-used toiletries. Does anyone know of a Chicago shelter or charity that would accept them as a donation? I really don't want to have to throw them out, but my skin has been very finicky lately and I have had to eliminate almost all products but Dr. Bronners :-) I live in the Lincoln Square area, but I am willing to take them anywhere within the reach of public transportation.

http://www.toiletriesfromtravel.org/

http://lincolnparkconnect.com/donate/donate_toiletries/index.php

Just a quick write in from NY in response to Domestic Intellectual's post about where to donate excess unused cosmetics & toiletries: I faced the same question in NYC & I found that most shelters would not accept donations of toiletries from any individual, even if unused-for safety reasons all had policies that only allowed them to accept toiletry/cosmetic donations from the manufacturing companies, regardless of the state of said item/if they had been used. I DID however find that various cancer organizations & hospices would accept many toiletries/cosmetic items, especially those geared towards female cancer patients/survivors. (I got this idea because going through chemo was for my mom a major self-image/cosmetic issue as well as a medical one.) I also found that various gay centers-particularly those who specialize in providing services to gay &/or transgender teens-would accept cosmetic & toiletry items for their all-too-eager populations. (I am totally serious here.) Just a couple of ideas if the other orgs mentioned don't pan out.

Completely off topic, but I saw Twelfth Night at the Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier and it was fantastic. The set is truly unique and the performances are top notch. Great way to spend an evening!