Donations

Your donations are urgently needed. You will make a difference in so many people’s lives. Please click the links on this page to make a secure online donation, and also consider becoming a friend of Open Doors to receive important news and updates. Thank you.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Open Door Shelter, Inc. is supported by individual contributions, faith groups, government and foundation grants and corporate sponsorships.
Our Commitment to Our Donors
We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings or emails to our donors on behalf of other organizations.
This policy applies to all information received by The Open Door Shelter, Inc. both online and offline, on any Platform (“Platform”, includes The Open Door Shelter website, crowd funding and mobile applications), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.
To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.
2018 IRS Form 990 | 2017 IRS Form 990 | 2016 IRS Form 990
2017 & 2018 Audited Financial Statements
MEAL SPONSORSHIP

Open Doors is open 365 days a year. Our kitchen serves meals every day to anyone in need. Because of this need we have developed a Meal Sponsorship Program that enables you to:
- Provide funding to feed a person or family one meal a day for a year.
- Sponsor a full meal service or two every month (or a meal a week).
Individual as well as corporate support is sorely needed. We can also devise a customized program to meet your desired level of commitment. And no matter which sponsorship level you choose, please know that every expression of support is truly appreciated.
Patron of Hospitality | Buy sponsorship $10 |
Patron of Hope | Buy sponsorship $25 |
Personal Sponsorship : Individual Meals Monthly Contribution For 12 Months
Breakfast | Buy sponsorship $45 | Buy sponsorship $150 |
Lunch | Buy sponsorship $65 | Buy sponsorship $250 |
Dinner | Buy sponsorship $85 | Buy sponsorship $350 |
Feed a person a meal a day | Feed a family a meal a day |
Corporate Sponsorship : Meals for the Entire Shelter Monthly Contribution For 12 Months
Breakfast | Buy sponsorship $299 | Buy sponsorship $599 | Buy sponsorship $1199 |
Lunch | Buy sponsorship $499 | Buy sponsorship $699 | Buy sponsorship $1999 |
Dinner | Buy sponsorship $999 | Buy sponsorship $1299 | Buy sponsorship $2599 |
1 Meal per month | 2 Meals per month | 3 Meals per month |
WISH LIST

Everyone at Open Doors is grateful for the support of our community. If you would like to donate items, we have specific hours for donations of food and clothing.
Pantry donations
Monday through Friday, 9am-1:30pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am-1pm
Community Closet donations
Clothing and household items (no furniture)
Next donation date: Tuesday, February 23, 1-3pm
Smilow Life Center, 55 Chestnut Street, Norwalk, CT 06854
If you have questions about donating items, please contact us at info@opendoorshelter.org or 203-866-1057
- Reusable masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Individual-sized soap
- Disposable razors
- Shaving cream
- Shower puffs / loofahs
- Deodorant
- Skin cream/lotion
- Athlete’s foot powder/spray
- Brushes
- Small jars of Vaseline
Cleaning & Maintenance Supplies
- Bleach
- Glass cleaner
- Tilex
- Laundry detergent (high efficiency)
- Lysol spray
- Anti-bacterial disinfectant cleaners
- Sponges
- Brushes
- Rubber gloves
- Pushbrooms
- Mops
- Light bulbs
- Heavy duty extension cords
- Flashlights
- Batteries (AA, AAA, 9 volt, D)
- New underwear and socks
- Hats, scarves, mittens/gloves (seasonal)
- Shoes
- Boots
- Diapers, especially sizes 5 & 6
- Pull-Ups
- Coloring books
- Puzzles for very young (4-12 pieces)
- Thermometers
- Band Aids
- Wipes
- Spill proof sippy cups
- Night lights
- Electrical outlet protective safety covers
- COMMUNITY CLOSET MONTHLY DONATION HOURS STARTING FEB 2021: Final Tuesday of the month, 1:00pm-3:00pm
- Please bring your clothing donations directly to the community closet at our Smilow Life Center, 55 Chestnut Street, Norwalk, CT 06854
- We accept seasonal clothing, shoes & boots in new or like-new condition.
- Please deliver donated clothing in large labeled plastic bags or bins. Sorting clothing by type and gender is always appreciated!
- *NEW ONLY UNDERWEAR (all ages and sizes)
- Sports bras
- Socks
- T-Shirts & Undershirts
- Thermal underwear (men & women’s large & x-tra large)
- Children’s coats
- Shoes and boots
- Men’s pants
- Professional clothing
- Maternity clothing
Regular/smaller sizes are better than than big family/economy size products. Many homes have limited storage, and it’s also easier to carry for people who are walking or taking public transit.
- Most needed
- *Canned tuna
- *Canned meat
- *Canned beans
- *Dried beans (red or black)
- *Peanut butter
- *Jelly (grape or strawberry)
- *Canned vegetables
- *Spaghetti sauce
- *Reusable grocery bags
- Complete pancake mix
- Pancake syrup
- Cereal
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Canned fruit or fruit cups
- Granola bars
- Shelf-stable milk
- Juice or juice boxes
- Rice
- Macaroni & cheese
- Canned pasta dinners
- Canned beef stews
- Canned or dried soup
- Fresh fruit
- Fresh vegetables
- Flour
- Vegetable oil
- Salad dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Coffee
- Tea
- Hot cocoa mix
- Baby food
- Formula
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
- Zip-lock baggies
- Napkins
- Paper towels
- Toilet tissue
- Kleenex
- Hot and cold cups
- Paper plates
- Large garbage bags
- Kitchen-sized garbage bags
- Brown paper lunchbags
- Oven mitts
- Dish towels
- Restaurant-style cotton aprons
- Baskets
- SOS pads
- Liquid dish soap
- Sponges
- Bath-sized towels
- Washcloths
- Sheet sets
- Washable blankets
- Laundry bags
- Upholstery covers for sofa and loveseat
- Tablecloths
- Placemats
- Dishes
- Silverware
- Glassware
- Pots and pans
- Cleaning supplies