EDGEWATER — In the midst of what has been described as an "apocalyptic"-like aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Ricans are in desperate need of everyday items — and two Far North Side coffee shops are making it easier for people in the neighborhood to donate.
During business hours, Maddiebird Bakery, 1445 W. Devon Ave., and Metropolis Coffee, 1039 W. Granville Ave., are both accepting donations of items that will then be ferried over to Casa Puertorriqueña, a Humboldt Park-based organization leading relief efforts in Chicago.
Casa Puertorriqueña's collection efforts are ongoing, and organizers are asking for items such as:
• Canned goods
• Can openers
• Batteries
• Toiletries
• Baby items (like formula and diapers)
• Medication
• Flashlights, lanterns and candles
• Pet food
• Water
• Boxes
• Tape
• Feminine hygiene products
Aaron McAtee, an owner of Maddiebird, said Puerto Rico was a "special" place for him because he has visited several times and has friends who live there.
In the last week, he's only been able to get in touch with one of several, he said.
Rather than just donating money into a fund whose distribution might not be clear, McAtee said he wanted to make it convenient for locals to donate items with confidence that they would be reaching the people of Puerto Rico.
"I don't want to just throw money into a fund and not be sure it gets there," he said.
Maddiebird is open from from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays; and Metropolis opens at 6:30 a.m. Mondays-Fridays, 7 a.m. Saturdays and 7:30 a.m. Sundays and closes at 8 p.m. daily.
Tony Dreyfuss, owner of Metropolis, said his coffee shop has also partnered with Little Sun, an international organization who supplies solar energy lighting to places displaced by disaster or conflict.
Together, the groups are working to raise $7,000, which will be used to buy solar-powered lamps and phone chargers that will be sent to Metropolis, then brought to Casa Puertorriqueña to be sent to Puerto Rico.
Currently, the majority of the island is without power.