If you’re searching for small ways to help your community in Mertztown, PA, donations to the homeless shelter at Opportunity House are always welcome. We rely on community support and gratefully accept kindnesses from your wallet, schedule, closet, or shopping bag.
Homeless Shelter Donations
Opportunity House shelters men, women, and children at the 24/7 emergency shelter, and when clients arrive, they generally need personal care items. We provide a welcome kit upon their arrival and essentials throughout their stay. One of the best ways you can support our mission is to donate new, unopened items, including the following:
- Toiletries
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, and pick flossers
- Bar soap and body wash
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Feminine hygiene products, including tampons and maxi pads
- Bladder control pads and diapers
- Bath
- Washcloths and towels
- Toilet paper
- Kleenex
- Hand soap
- Grooming
- Combs and brushes
- Shaving cream and razors
- Tweezers and nail clippers
- Baby Items
- Diapers and wipes
- Baby oil and lotion
- Bottles
- Underclothes
- Underwear
- Undershirts
- Sports bras
- Socks
- Clothing for cold weather
- Long sleeve shirts
- Caps and coats
- Sweatshirts and sweatpants
- Yoga pants
- Winter boats
- Laundry detergent
- Bottled water
When planning to bring items to the shelter, consider calling before you shop to identify our most vital current needs.
OppShop Donations
The OppShop thrift store, located at 3045 5th Street Highway in Reading, PA, supports the mission of Opportunity House. The profits from the thrift store go to the emergency shelter, and the inventory allows shelter residents to choose their own clothing.
The store also provides the community access to clothing, household items, and more at prices much lower than retail.
We welcome gently used items to Opp Shop for resale. Bring your donations to the drop-off location behind the store or one of our many drop-off bins throughout Berks County.
As you go through your house for Spring cleaning and decluttering, bag up the clean, unstained, untorn, and appropriate items for OppShop. Acceptable item categories include:
- Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing
- Media (CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray)
- Household goods, including kitchenware, dishware, and cookware
- Holiday items and decor
- Furniture
- Jewelry, purses, handbags, and accessories
- Flat-screen televisions
- Shoes
- Toys, including stuffies, colors/coloring books, blocks, etc.
- Bedding
Time Donations
Items and money aren’t the only donations we need at Opportunity House; we also need donations of your time. A helping hand is always welcome; consider the following volunteer opportunities:
- Souper Bowl
- Wine, Women, and Shoes
- Golf Outing
- Meal Preparation and Service
- Community Garden and Garden Party Event
- Client Welcome Kits
The Good Works of Opportunity House
Opportunity House began helping the homeless nearly four decades ago. We serve about 500 clients per year. The emergency shelter offers daily meals and a snack, laundry facilities, shower access, a welcome kit of hygiene necessities, case management, and targeted support to help clients acquire and sustain permanent housing.
Our efforts extend beyond immediate emergency shelter. Real help for the homeless requires more than a bed for the night, so we extend our work throughout all of the following programs:
- Transitional and permanent housing
- The Second Street Learning Center for early childhood education
- Reuse/recycle program through OppShop and our warehouse
Help the homeless of Mertztown, PA, by bringing donations of money, items, and time to support the work of the Opportunity House shelter and the supportive services we provide. If you’d like to explore the impact that your gifts support, click here.
