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.
HELP THE OPEN SHELTER AT RED, WHITE AND BOOM!
The Open Shelter has been offered a fun and profitable opportunity for this year’s Red, White, And Boom, the largest fireworks event in the Midwest, which occurs on Thursday, July 3rd in Downtown Columbus.
We have been offered the opportunity to staff 4 beer stations/tents for the event from 12pm until 11pm. We would need approximately 45 volunteers to work two shifts— 12-6pm & 5-11pm.
The Open Shelter would get 15% of all sales, and we get to keep all tips to support our grassroots mission. Plus, everyone who volunteers gets a free t-shirt!
If you or your group would like to sign up for a shift, please email Harry Yeprem at harry@theopenshelter.org or give him a call at 614-562-2169. We have a deadline of June 1st to let Red, White, & Boom know. Thanks!!!
LATEST NEWS
The Open Shelter & YOU assisted 1,845 homeless and marginally-housed persons in 2025 as of May 1st; 617 of whom were “living on the streets”.
18,955 sack lunches and 38,920 ‘to-go’ meals were provided. 33 men and women participate in our “Payeeship” program, which helps homeless and recently homeless persons who need third-party money management.
634 instances of outdoor item assistance were provided in addition to 1,658 instances of clothing assistance.
We also provided 878 hygiene kits & 272 diapers. 195 bus passes were passed out.
We also helped guests with acuiring 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
