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.
START YOUR ENGINES FOR THE NASCAR DAY GIVEATHON!
The Open Shelter is excited to once again join The NASCAR Foundation for the NASCAR Day Giveathon!
The NASCAR Day Giveathon is a joint effort of the NASCAR industry to provide much-needed funds to communities across the country.
Starting May 14th at 8am EST, you can help The Open Shelter by donating to us, or sharing our fundraiser during the 37 hours of the Giveathon:
https://fanthem.io/give/nascar/giving-days/nascar-day-giveathon-2024/charities/the-open-shelter-inc
Help us raise much-needed funds to serve homeless and marginally housed men, women, and children in the Central Ohio community. In 2023, we assisted over 2800 individuals with CRUCIAL NEEDS to SURVIVE and SUPPORTIVE SERVICES to THRIVE.
Plus, there will be many matching gifts & incentives offered during the Giveathon for your donations, such as t-shirts and NASCAR memorabilia! When donating, donate early each hour so we can qualify for the matching gifts!!!
YOUR Donations keep The Open Shelter OPEN! We raised over $5000 in 2023 thanks to the NASCAR Day Giveathon; we would love to surpass or even double that amount in 2024. Please take advantage of this partnership with NASCAR to help us reach the finish line for those we serve.
LATEST NEWS
The Open Shelter & YOU assisted 1,345 homeless and marginally-housed persons in 2024 as of May 1st; 469 of whom were “living on the streets”.
19,893 sack lunches and 39,550 ‘to-go’ meals were provided. 32 men and women participated in our “Payeeship” program, which helps homeless and recently homeless persons who need third-party money management.
550 instances of outdoor item assistance were provided in addition to 1,801 instances of clothing assistance.
We also provided 610 hygiene kits & 176 diapers. 362 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.
We look forward to your continuing support this year.
Thank You.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to share our story and participate in a great conversation about advocating for those in need in our community.
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 openshelter@att.net.
The Open Shelter, Inc.
1037 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43206
614-222-2885
