The Opportunity House homeless shelter accepts donations of your time, items, and funds because it requires significant resources to do great things!
The Work of Opportunity House Matters
Opportunity House’s mission of helping the homeless is a worthy undertaking. We offer emergency shelter and services to the homeless 24/7/365, serving 500 residents annually. The reasons for homelessness are as diverse as the clients we serve. Help the most vulnerable among us by promoting the work of Opportunity House.
In 1984, our emergency shelter opened, and over the almost four decades since, we have extended our services. When residents arrive, they receive essential self-care items. We also provide three meals and a snack daily, access to shower and laundry facilities, and case management services to help clients overcome the challenges preventing them from remaining stably housed.
We’ve approached the challenges that face the homeless and provide a variety of services to help clients obtain and sustain stable housing. Services include:
- Emergency food services
- Early childhood education through the Second Street Learning Center
- OppShop thrift store
- Warehouse training
- Transitional and permanent housing units
Every Donation Matters
Donations to Opportunity House are essential to the continuation of our work. Corporate donations, grants, and private giving are all integral to our operations, and we provide straightforward methods of personal donations. We accept credit and debit card payments as one-time gifts and recurring donations are easily arranged online. You may also drop us a check or stop by the thrift store, shelter, or a fundraising event to donate cash.
Opportunity House is a 501(c)3 organization. Donations received are tax deductible. Even your non-cash items may be listed on your taxes; ask us for documentation when you deliver your items.*
When doing a bit of spring cleaning or transitioning to a new phase of life, skip the yard sale, and donate to Opportunity House. Donations can extend beyond funds. We operate OppShop, a retail thrift store, where we resell gently used items generously donated by supporters of Opportunity House. The inventory we welcome includes the following:
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Books
- Media
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Accessories
- Dishware
- Cookware
OppShop cannot accept items like chemicals, old electronics, building supplies, infant and toddler furniture, carpeting, tires, or tires.
The logistics of item donation for OppShop are straightforward. Residents can drop grocery bags filled with small items at drop-off bins throughout the county. We also take donations behind the thrift store on Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 am – 6 pm. Donations are accepted only during store hours. Schedule item pickup online or by phone for oversized items like furniture.
The Opportunity House emergency shelter also accepts new items as donations. Essentials like underclothing, self-care essentials, and bottled water are always appreciated. Your gift can have the most significant impact when you call to find out about our priority needs, which change depending on the time of year and other donations.
Finally, donations of time should never be underestimated. From preparing and serving a meal, working in the community garden, planning fundraising events, and sorting items at the thrift store, a great deal of effort goes into the various endeavors that work to achieve Opportunity House’s mission. An extra pair of hands is always welcome.
Donations to a homeless shelter like Opportunity House can help the most vulnerable of society, but they also help the giver. Donating gives you tax benefits, a reduced carbon footprint, and a better state of mind.
*Please check with your tax advisor.
