LATEST NEWS

2025 has been an eye-opening year for us and those we serve at The Open Shelter. The need has definitely grown. So far this year, we have served OVER 4,300 homeless and marginally housed men, women, and children. In 2024, we served a total of 2,658 individuals. Despite the growing need, you were still able to… Read more: THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE HOLIDAYS BRIGHT

The Holiday Season can mean a lot of things to people. It can mean celebrations, festivities, gifts, and joy. For others, it can bring feelings of stress, struggle, and heartbreak. We sat down with five of our guests and asked them, “What Do The Holidays Mean To You?” “I was homeless near the Great Southern… Read more: What Do The Holidays Mean To You?

Hundreds of homeless and marginally housed men, women, and children come through our doors each day. One unique pairing we have helped for the past few years is Thomas & his faithful companion. Thomas sat down to share with us about himself and his furry friend, Schottzie.

We are so grateful that Brittany & the C3 Church Outreach Team have adopted The Open Shelter and our mission of “Staying Behind With Those Left Behind” as part of their Compassion, Community & Commitment. They have prepared and served delicious meals, done clean-up events, and so much more for those we serve; homeless and… Read more: C3 Church: Compassion Community Commitment

The Open Shelter is so grateful for our decades long partnership with See Kids Dream. See Kids Dream’s mission is to empower youth with the skills, motivation, and confidence to make our world a better place. No greater example of that was the Mini Leaders Of Tomorrow Showcase in which students ranging from Pre-K to… Read more: Mini Leaders Of Tomorrow Make A Difference

Amanda is one of our guests that we have been helping for nearly 10 years. She has been through many struggles with her four children but she has been able to persevere with your support. “The Open Shelter has helped me in many different ways. Help with Christmas, clothing, food; anything I have ever needed.”… Read more: Aiding Amanda

How fitting that on 6/14, 614 Day in Columbus, Ohio, our community came together to celebrate PRIDE during the 2025 Stonewall Columbus Pride March. It is truly an honor for The Open Shelter to join so many in being “United In Power”, uplift LGBTQIA+ identities, and to show that The Open Shelter is there for… Read more: PROUD TO BE A PART OF 2025 PRIDE

Nearly 30 fathers found food, fun, and more at our Father’s Day 2025 Celebration! A HUGE THANK YOU to our friends from Eldorado Scioto Downs for providing and serving a delicious Father’s Day meal! The talented Brittani Orr provided free haircuts for everyone who attended! Thank you to Beth Yeprem & everyone who donated items… Read more: Fantastic Fathers Find Food & Fun At The Open Shelter!

The Open Shelter’s 2025 Mother’s Day Event was a very special occasion thanks to the support, efforts, love, and care of so many. We are so grateful to Patrick & Molly Barrington, the Dublin Coffman Rocks lacrosse team, and their parents. These young men did a fantastic job in making sure the 40 women and… Read more: Mother’s Day Was Special At The Open Shelter

YOU can make a difference in central Ohio by donating to Match Madness. NOW through April 7th, we need YOU to help us raise $15,000 to triple a $5,000 pledge made by a loyal couple who have supported us for years. Match Madness is about helping others, like AnnMarie, who, through our help, was able to get out… Read more: MATCH MADNESS IS ABOUT HELPING OTHERS