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.
THE OPEN SHELTER HOLIDAY LIST
The Holidays are coming, and we have created an Amazon Holiday List with the items needed to make the season brighter and special for the homeless and marginally housed men, women, and children we serve.
We are seeing more individuals and families than ever before, but we still need YOUR HELP to bring comfort and joy to the most vulnerable in our community.
LATEST NEWS
The Open Shelter & YOU assisted 3,793 homeless and marginally-housed persons in 2025 as of November 1st; 1,227 of whom were “living on the streets”.
48,796 sack lunches and 99,625 ‘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.
1,302 instances of outdoor item assistance were provided in addition to 4,964 instances of clothing assistance.
We also provided 2,275 hygiene kits & 688 diapers. 330 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
