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.
Open Shelter Director Sheli Mathias shares a message of concern.
“Staying Behind With Those Left Behind”.
The number of those left behind is growing. We have already exceeded the number of men, women, and children served in 2024 at the beginning of September.
Our resources, such as food, are running out much quicker.
LATEST NEWS
The Open Shelter & YOU assisted 3,429 homeless and marginally-housed persons in 2025 as of October 1st; 1,125 of whom were “living on the streets”.
42,409 sack lunches and 88,795 ‘to-go’ meals were provided. 35 men and women participate in our “Payeeship” program, which helps homeless and recently homeless persons who need third-party money management.
1,140 instances of outdoor item assistance were provided in addition to 4,359 instances of clothing assistance.
We also provided 1,821 hygiene kits & 579 diapers. 319 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
