Donations

Click to become a friend of the Open Door

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

Meal Sponsorship

Open Doors is open 365 days a year. Our kitchen serves three meals a day, every day of the year, to anyone in need. This translates to over 50,000 meals served monthly. 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 Sponsorship Monthly Contribution For 12 Months
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

Wish List
Most of the families and individuals who come to Open Doors arrive with practically nothing, and depend on community donations for food, clothing, and other necessities. There is a particular need for department store or grocery gift certificates, towels and twin bedding, and paper products like toilet paper and paper towels. Donations can be dropped off at Open Doors at 4 Merritt Street in South Norwalk. You may drop off donations at any time, however, we encourage donors to avoid making deliveries during the hours of 12:00pm to 2:00pm, as we are preparing and serving lunch during this time. Should this be the only time available to you, we will gladly accept the donation. The shelter appreciates any donation individuals or corporations can make.
Personal Supplies
  • Individual-sized soap
  • Disposable razors
  • Shaving cream
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Deodorant (spray preferred)
  • Skin cream/lotion
  • Athlete’s foot powder/spray
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • New combs
  • Brushes
  • Non-alcoholic mouthwash
  • Small jars of Vaseline
  • Feminine Hygiene Products
  • Bath and shower shoes
    (flip-flops)
School Supplies
  • Pens
  • Pencils
  • Remedial workbooks (writing, reading)
  • Writing pads
  • Writing paper
Books
  • Fiction and non-fiction books
  • Children’s books
  • Books in Spanish
  • Books in Haitian Creole
Office Supplies
  • Heavy Black Magic Markers
  • Yellow Highlighters
  • Copy Paper
  • Envelopes
  • Labels
  • Scotch Tape
  • Glue Sticks
  • File Folders
  • Correction Fluid
  • Colored Card Stock
  • Ruled Writing Tablets

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
  • 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
  • We accept seasonal clothing, shoes & boots in new or like-new condition.
    • Please bring your clothing donations directly to the shelter at 4 Merritt Street.
  • Please deliver donated clothing in large labeled plastic bags or bins. Sorting clothing by type and gender is always appreciated!
    • Most needed
    • *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
    • Gloves
    • Hats
    • Scarves
     
    • 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.
    • Canned tuna
    • Canned meat
    • Canned beans
    • Dried beans (red or black)
    • Rice
    • Spaghetti
    • Macaroni & cheese
    • Canned pasta dinners
    • Canned beef stews
    • Canned soup
    • Dried soup
    • Canned vegetables
    • Pasta sauce
     
    • Complete pancake mix
    • Pancake syrup
    • Cereal
    • Instant oatmeal packets
    • Peanut butter
    • Jelly (grape or strawberry)
    • Canned fruit
    • Individual fruit cups
    • Granola bars
    • Shelf-stable milk
    • Juice or juice boxes

    • Fresh fruit
    • Fresh vegetables
    • Flour
    • Vegetable oil
    • Salad dressing
    • Mayonnaise
    • Mustard
    • Ketchup
    • Instant coffee
    • Tea
    • Hot cocoa mix
    • Baby food
    • Formula
    • Reusable grocery bags
    • Aluminum foil
    • Plastic wrap
    • Zip-lock baggies
    • Napkins
    • Paper towels
    • Toilet tissue
    • Kleenex
    • Hot and cold cups
    • Plastic utensils
    • 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
    Bedding
    • Pillowcases
    • Bath-sized towels
    • Washcloths
    • Sheets especially TWIN fitted
    • Washable blankets
      (no comforters)
      Used is fine
    • Laundry bags
    Household items
    • Upholstery covers for sofa and loveseat
    • Tablecloths
    • Placemats
    • Dishes
    • Silverware
    • Glassware
    • Pots and pans
    • Cleaning supplies
    Could your furniture help one of our families? Several families have moved into their own apartments – definitely a time to celebrate, and also a time to help them furnish their new homes! Right now we’re asking for: – twin-sized sheets, comforters, and pillows – 2 baby gates – 1 set of pots and pans – 1 microwave oven – 1 vacuum cleaner – 4 window air conditioning units Let us know if have any items to donate or if you’d like us to add you to our furniture request list by contacting us at events@opendoorshelter.org or 203-866-1057 x29, and we’ll email you directly with furniture needs we have in the future!