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.
YOUR SUPPORT HELPS BEAT THE EXTREME HEAT
The Extreme Heat we are currently experiencing is especially brutal on our homeless and marginally-housed neighbors.
YOUR support allows us to be there to make sure we can offer food, clothing, hygiene items & a place to get out of the heat.
Thank you to our friends at the AFC Entertaiment Group 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 2,800 homeless and marginally-housed persons so far in 2026 as of July 1st;
824 of whom were “living on the streets”.
29,108 sack lunches and 47,365 ‘to-go’ meals were provided. 28 men and women participated in our “Payeeship” program, which helps homeless and recently homeless persons who need third-party money management.
710 instances of outdoor item assistance were provided in addition to 2,781 instances of clothing assistance.
We also provided 1,399 hygiene kits & 382 diapers. 169 bus passes were passed out.
We also helped guests with acquiring thousands of 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
