Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Paying It Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations made to us are tax-deductible.

Paying It Forward was established in July 2013 as a small social media-based community help group with the intention of connecting those who are in need with others who are able to help. 

Paying It Forward offers a wide variety of non-financial services through our programs which range anywhere from providing birthday gifts to children with the help of generous sponsors to running a nonprofit resource center where those who are in need can receive help in applying for jobs or other financial assistance programs.  For a full range of services offered, visit our programs and events page on our website. 

No. Paying It Forward does not offer financial assistance of any kind and cannot help you pay rent or other bills. We recommend you contact your local township office or Catholic charities to inquire more about this form of assistance.

Paying It Forward accepts monetary donations via our website or by check made out to Paying It Forward. Toiletries, cleaning supplies, food & gas gift cards, new throw blankets and backpacks are accepted all year long. 

In addition, we are always in need of baby items: diapers, baby wipes, diaper bags, diaper cream, baby wash, baby shampoo, bottles, baby blankets, pacifiers, small new stuffed animals, animal blankets for babies, teething rings, baby lotion, and baby clothes 0-24 months.

We do not accept any other clothing unless specifically requested due to limited space.

Paying It Forward’s physical storefront and office is located at 821 W Chicago Ave, East Chicago, IN 46312.

Paying It Forward’s main office and storefront is located on a busy main street. Many deliveries arrive after regular business hours and are at risk of theft, so they cannot be left outside. We route our deliveries to Paying It Forward’s headquarters located at 4328 Olcott Ave, East Chicago IN, 46312.

You can reach us at: 219-318-3122.  Calls are accepted Monday - Friday, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. To reach Paying It Forward after hours, you can do so by emailing info@payingitforwardnwi.com.

Our current office hours are Monday-Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Appointments for visits are to be made by emailing us at: info@payingitforwardnwi.com.

No. We do not sell any of our donations. We occasionally hold raffles, but only if the item was donated for the purpose of a raffle.

No. We do not have the space for clothing and cannot accept them. Please take them to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. We are only able to accept donations of clothing items that we specifically ask for: for example, winter coats during the winter, school uniforms in August or prom dresses in the Spring. Our website will notify you if it’s something we can accept.

Yes. If you need assistance for a birthday box for your child, you must apply one month prior to your child’s birthday. Simply putting your child’s birthday on a separate application does not qualify them for a birthday box. Program qualifications and applications will be posted for each individual program and will be made available at least 30 day prior.  Although you may apply for multiple programs, it does not mean you will be accepted and approved for each program. Pay close attention to directions and qualifications.

Remember the whole point of Paying It Forward is to actually give back and…pay it forward! Many of our programs require that you have helped pay it forward in some way before being eligible for additional assistance. For example, if you were helped during our Christmas program and then also wanted a birthday box for your child’s birthday, we ask that before you request assistance for your child’s birthday, you volunteer at our store, gift candy or some treats to another event or help us serve a meal at our Community Dinners.

Yes, you may still apply for assistance. Depending on the program requirements, you may be able to receive one-time emergency assistance. We appreciate that everyone’s circumstances are different and review them on a case by case basis. If the program you apply for has a Paying It Forward requirement, we may be able to suggest unique ways for you to help.  We know everyone is different and has their own unique talents that they can offer and share.

You may not know this, but our founder is disabled and started our organization with nothing more than her laptop, a goal and a lot of heart. She built this organization from her bed while recovering from surgery and battling lupus.  Many disabled and disadvantaged individuals come to us thinking they can’t help anyone else when they are struggling themself, but that is not true! All you need to Pay It Forward is a whole lot of heart. Maybe you can bake a cake for someone’s birthday. Or maybe you are artistic and can make crafts for our Christmas giveaway. Maybe you and another member are struggling with the same thing and you can pay it forward by simply talking to them to letting them know they are not alone. 

Coats can be in like-new condition (clean second-hand) or new condition. Please do not donate dirty coats as we do not have a laundry facility. Blankets have to be new with tags. You can choose to donate large throw blankets or Mexican blankets for us to help give out to the homeless community.