The Open Shelter, Inc.

Wish List

The Material Assistance Program, established in 1984, collects, sorts and distributes new and used material goods, free of charge, to the homeless and marginally housed. Those who are in need are also provided with food boxes. What we are able to give depends entirely upon what has been donated by our generous community.

Client Services wish list:

The Clothing Area is stocked with belts, coats, handkerchiefs, hats and scarves, dress pants and jeans, shirts and sweaters, shoes, socks and underwear. It is also helpful to have shoe polish kits, shoestrings, bus passes, envelopes, pencils, and pens, postage stamps, writing tablets, safety pins, sewing kits and watches.

Hygiene requests include brushes and combs, chapstick, denture cleaner, deodorant, disposable razors, lotion, mouthwash, nail clippers, shampoo, shaving cream, soap (bar), talcum powder, toothbrushes, toothpaste and tissues.

Medical supplies used on a regular basis are antacid, bandages, buffered aspirin, cotton swabs, cough medicine and lozenges, foot powder, latex gloves, over-the-counter medications and rubbing alcohol.

General needs include blankets, sheets, towels and washcloths.

Food Services wish list:

The Food Pantry helps those who are homeless and marginally housed. By providing a food box cash resources can be used for rent, security deposits, etc. Non-perishable, canned foods are always needed. We also accept cereal, coffee and tea, coffee creamer, condiments, gravy, jelly, pancake mix, pasta, peanut butter, soda pop, sauces, soup and sugar.

Agency Services wish list:

Cleaning needs include bleach, laundry detergent, soap and trash bags. Meal and Paper supplies needed daily include cups, plates and bowls (foam or paper), napkins, paper towels, plastic utensils, and toilet paper.

Office supplies needed include 3/5 disks, bankers boxes, binder and paper clips, computer paper (for dot matrix), copy paper, envelopes, file folders, notepads, pens, pencils and highlighters, postage stamps, rubber bands and tape.