Donate
Illinois Valley PADS is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt charity. Your financial donations will qualify for tax deductions on your tax returns. You will receive a tax receipt for each donation.
Revenues:
22% from IDHS Grant
45% from Lily PADS Resale stores
33% from Community Donors
Make a One-Time, Recurring, Donation, General, and Expenses.
Volunteer
IV PADS heavily relies on excellent volunteers to assist us in our mission to provide for the homeless. There are numerous volunteer opportunities at our four locations, Ottawa PADS Shelter, Peru PADS Shelter, Lily Pads Resale Boutique, and Lily PADS Too Resale Boutique. Get started as a volunteer by completing the digital volunteer form. A staff member will be in contact with you shortly.
Our volunteers use their time and talents to assist with a number of duties, some of which include:
- Providing a monthly dinner, serving dinner, and cleaning dishes
- Cleaning the shelter kitchen & pantry
- Bible study leader
- Helping clients with resumes and job interview skills
- Preparing coffee and breakfast
- Assisting with maintenance of buildings and equipment
- Painting, trimming, and landscaping
- Hosting a fundraising event or supply donation drive
- And MUCH MORE
Have questions or concerns? Just not sure how you could help? Please contact us to discuss how your time and talents can bring value to our organization.
IV PADS Volunteer Application Form
Our Needs
IV PADS serves up to 121 individuals at a time. To provide for our clients as well as maintain our facilities used by so many, we frequently need community donations.
Click here for a printable version of our complete needs list. We appreciate your consideration in supporting us in this way. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. You may donate online here. Donations may be dropped off at both shelter locations or at Lily Pads Resale Boutique.
Our Needs
- Bottled water
- Sack lunch snack items
- Drink mixes
- Paper products
- Cleaning products
- Gas cards
Donation items such as food, personal care and paper products can be dropped off at Ottawa or Peru PADS shelters. Lily Pads & Lily Pads Too Resale Boutiques donations can be brought to either donation center Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Contact information can be found at the bottom of the page. Please call us for any additional questions regarding donations.
Thank you for your support. Every donation is appreciated!
Shop our Amazon Wish List and deliver directly to our shelters here:
Planned Giving
What kind of legacy do you want to build?
If you believe in the IV PADS mission to provide shelter, food, and services to those in need and you share our values of human dignity, compassion, and empowerment toward self-sufficiency, then we ask that you consider a planned financial gift to our organization.
A planned financial gift to IV PADS is an opportunity to multiply yourself and your values into the lives of struggling members in this community.
Some of the options for planned giving include:
- Wills
- Bequests
- Life Insurance
- Retirement Plans
- Real Estate
- Payroll Deduction
- Employer Gift Match
- Donor Advised Funds
With any planned gift option you are considering, please contact your financial advisor or your attorney to get professional advice.
For more information please download our brochure on planned giving or set up an appointment to discuss building your legacy by contacting Carol Alcorn, Executive Director, at [email protected]. Together we can break the cycle of homelessness.
Find Shelter
Ottawa Shelter
About
Ottawa PADS is a 55-bed homeless shelter that provides shelter, meals, and other services to those in need. Operates from August 1 to May 31 each year.
Peru Shelter
About
Peru PADS is a 74-bed homeless shelter that provides shelter, meals, and other services to those in need. Operates from August 1 to May 31 each year.
Find Stores
Peru Store
Location
4471 Progress Blvd., Peru, IL
Phone
(815) 224-7970Hours of Operation
Retail shopping
Mon-Sat: 9AM-5PM
Donations Center
Mon-Sat: 9AM-4PM
Ottawa Store
Location
411 E Stevenson Road, Ottawa, IL 61350
Phone
(815) 313-5776Hours of Operation
Retail shopping
Mon-Sat: 9AM-5PM
Donations Center
Mon-Sat: 9AM-4PM
FAQs
Find answers to your questions about hours, requirements, rules, and volunteering opportunities.
What are your hours of operation?
We are open from August 1st to May 31st, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who do you serve?
We serve men, women, and children who are homeless. Our service area includes LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam, and surrounding counties.
What are your admittance requirements?
- You cannot be a registered sex offender.
- You cannot be a violent offender against youth.
- You must not have earned your way on to one of our ban lists.
- You need to have photo ID or be identified by the local police department.
- You need to have connections or local ties to our service area.
- You may not be admitted if you are under the influence and disruptive.
What am I allowed to bring with me?
- Two small bags of personal items which will fit into a tote and one locker. You must find other locations for the remainder of your possessions.
- Bedding, hygiene products, laundry supplies, and food are provided.
Can I bring my pet?
No, you may not bring a pet. A registered, licensed, service animal with proper records of vaccinations and proof of spay or neutering may come into the shelter. Companion animals are not allowed.
What are the rules?
- You must be in the shelter by 5:00 pm every evening, unless you are working.
- Attendance is required nightly in order to retain a bed in the program.
- You are allowed free time outside the shelter from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
- You are allowed to smoke outside for 10 minutes every hour, on the hour, between the hours of 7:00 am and 10:00 pm.
- Breathalyzers and penlight tests will be administered as needed.
- Parents are responsible for supervising their own children at all times.
- Bed time is at 10:30 pm nightly.
How can I volunteer?
- Complete a volunteer application through our website or contact us directly by phone to schedule a volunteer training.
- Attend a scheduled training orientation onsite.
- Sign up with shelter staff to be added to the volunteer calendar.
- If you are providing a meal individually or as part of a group, the day and time of the meal must be coordinated with the shelter staff in advance.
How can I donate?
- Volunteer your time cleaning, organizing, fellowshipping with clients, or providing entertainment.
- Prepare and serve a meal.
- Purchase and donate supplies that are found on our needs list.
- Assist us with leading classes, support groups, or Bible discussions.
- Share your skills. We welcome persons with maintenance skills, money management skills to share with clients, nursing skills to aid clients, and smiling skills to brighten someone’s day.
- Provide financial donations to assist us in paying the bills and building more programs. You can send a check, submit online donations through paypal, or bring cash to any of our locations.
Are my donations tax deductible?
- Yes, we are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a EIN # of 36-3778430. Your financial and in-kind donations are tax deductible. Any of our locations can provide you with a receipt.
Still have questions?
We're here to help!