OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Open Shelter is an Advocacy Center & Day Services Shelter for homeless and marginally-housed people in Central Ohio. We provide crucial needs directly to those in crisis. Coordinated, supportive services are also provided, directly or by referral.
MATCH MADNESS UPDATE!
Thank you to everyone for your support!
Nearly 80 of you have donated for a total of $10,465 raised toward our goal of $20,000 to help us continue “Staying Behind With Those Left Behind”.
We still need YOUR help to hit the goal, so we can start giving away fantastic prizes! Tell your friends, family, coworkers, random people on the street…..to go to www.TheOpenShelter.org to donate through 4/6 & to see all of the prizes up for grabs!
Thank you to our friends at Back to Hope Foundation for creating this video, which reflects the care and compassion YOU support each day here at The Open Shelter.
It is only thanks to YOU that we can continue “Staying Behind With Those Left Behind”.
See more about Back To Hope at www.backtohopefoundation.net
LATEST NEWS
The Open Shelter & YOU have assisted 1,334 homeless and marginally-housed persons so far in 2026 as of March 1st;
416 of whom were “living on the streets”.
9,047 sack lunches and 13,345 ‘to-go’ meals were provided. 27 men and women participated in our “Payeeship” program, which helps homeless and recently homeless persons who need third-party money management.
260 instances of outdoor item assistance were provided in addition to 782 instances of clothing assistance.
We also provided 466 hygiene kits & 100 diapers. 66 bus passes were passed out.
We also helped guests with acquiring State IDs, Drivers Licenses, and Birth Certificates.
There is also access to phones, copiers, faxes, and computers in addition to providing a mailing address.
This is only possible because of YOUR support.
YOU keep The Open Shelter OPEN!
We look forward to your continuing support this year.
Thank You.
WE LOVE VOLUNTEERS!
Volunteers can help in a number of different ways.
Preparing and serving food.
We can always use food groups to serve a hot meal in the mornings and also need volunteers. Taking in and sorting donations. Organizing and sorting our Material Assistance Room. Cleaning and sprucing up our agency. Clerical and office duties.
We are willing to work with YOU and YOUR GROUP in regards to donation & pledge drives. Need more info? Want to help? Please give us a call at 614-222-2885 or email us at tosi@theopenshelter.org.
The Open Shelter, Inc.
1037 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43206
614-222-2885
tosi@theopenshelter.org
