The Open Shelter

Category: Homeless shelter in Columbus, Ohio

Address: 1037 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206, USA

Phone: +16142222885

Opening hours

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 10AM–2PM

Tuesday: 10AM–2PM

Wednesday: 10AM–2PM

Thursday: 10AM–2PM

Friday: 10AM–2PM

Saturday: Closed

Reviews

Johnny Toledo

Aug 30, 2022

Always good to get a meal. And have resources for everyone

Nichole Bryant

Aug 6, 2022

This place was really great when I first started going. But overtime, I'm now being treated very rudely at times, which I do not understand. I come to this place for food, clothes, some comfort, and just to get away from a bad home environment. I have never caused any problems here whatsoever, I'm polite, I always speak to Solomon, I clean up after myself, and have even cleaned up after other's as well. Clothe's were brought out one day for people to go through and take what they wanted. People actually started just dropping clothe's on the floor and leaving clothe's hanger's everywhere. I kindly picked clothe's up off the floor and hung them back up and placed all clothes hanger's where they were supposed to be. It's not my job to do anything there, but I want to feel useful, and I just wanted to help in some way. But lately, Solomon has gone from speaking back to me when I speak, to not speaking at all when I speak to him. And the last few times that I needed something or had a question, I was told "don't make me yell at you". Obviously, if someone feels the need to come to this place they are down and need help, not someone acting like they have no patience for simple questions. And nobody should ever be talked down to or yelled at, for absolutely nothing. One day I was having a pretty good day until I entered this place. I walked into this place and as I usually do, I spoke to Solomon. Solomon didn't speak back, nor did he acknowledge that I spoke to him. That was the very first time that I spoke to Solomon and he didn't speak back to me. So here I am wondering what I've done to just be ignored like that. I'm already going through enough with living in a bad home environment, I'm grieving the loss of my Great Aunt who helped raise me and also the loss of a Mother that I never knew or had in my life, I've been really down and depressed, I'm constantly worrying about every single thing, and I'm just sad a lot. The last thing I need is someone who's supposed to be helping me making me feel bad, too. I thought Solomon was a great guy when I first started going here, but I've now actually avoided this place on my most sensitive day's because Solomon is so rude to me now. I have actually been hungry, thirsty, and just needing time away and have walked right by this place to go sit at the library close by, and only because I don't want to be treated bad by Solomon. I wish this place was ran by a person who truly has compassion and patience for people who really need that... Smh.

Lindsay Barrett

Jul 27, 2022

This is one of the most horrible places to ever go to get a donation for anything. Solomon is the most rude and hateful person to ever be working at the front desk. The worst part is that all the workers seen how he mistreated myself and my fiance and they didn't stop him. Not returning EVER!!!!!!!

Murphy Johnson

Jul 27, 2022

The staff in particular Mr Solomon spoke very condescending to men needing help and to me as well seeing how I didn't need help in particular. I was just there to seek help for my brother.

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Questions & Answers

Are yall doing the Christmas food and toys this year?

Meemee Taylor | Sep 12, 2020
Tammy Sturgell | Sep 12, 2020

Yes they will be. They do every year.

How can i get info about times and where to

Marie Bates 2 | Sep 13, 2018
Randall Davis | Sep 13, 2018

The Open Shelter is located on the second floor of St. John's Protestant Church, 61 East Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio. The Open Shelter is open only during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed for weekends and holidays.

Is it pet friendly

Jackson Cyphers | Aug 13, 2022
Murphy Johnson | Aug 13, 2022

I didn't see or smell any pets.

How can I donate women's clothing

Missy Mayes | Jun 14, 2022
JS my opinion | Jul 14, 2022

Call and let them know you have clothes to drop off. They will tell you where and give you a receipt for your donation.

Can I drop off clothing? Do you give it away free

Myrna Rich ray | Sep 12, 2021
Mish Nickerson | Sep 12, 2021

Yes they accept donations and you can do it free. You will even get a receipt for taxes. If I were you I would donate to the Faith Mission at 217 N. Grant Ave. I think the donations are accepted at 245 N. Grant Ave. Call 6142747000 for more information

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There are churches downtown in immediate area that can give a Passport for the Homeless with detailed information.

Steven Miller | Sep 12, 2020
Solomon Dean | Sep 12, 2020

Nope not tht I am aware of

how can i get in i have no where to go after tonight so what do i do the number says there closed

Vickie Kisor | Sep 13, 2019
Lamotte Matthews | Sep 13, 2019

Shelter hotline can help please call

This place is a joke. I would not give them a penny. Do your homework...

Abayomi Anwar | Sep 13, 2018
Michael A. Williams, Sr | Sep 13, 2019

Please provide details to support your claim. I am very interested in what you have to say.

whats the number or can i go in person?

GIL M. | Sep 13, 2018
Willie Wallace | Sep 13, 2018

411 can give you the phone number for the open shelter I don't believe you can just go and then they take you in I think you have to choose a number and then they'll tell you your time to call back but it's best to call in as soon as you get this message

Is there an waiting list for emergency shelter?

Yaakova Lee | Sep 13, 2018
Willie Wallace | Sep 13, 2018

You have to call the 1-800 number that's the only information I have on it

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can I volunteer i'm 14 ? and i really love animals .

antanitrrashirleyyy | Aug 15, 2022
Nichole Bryant | Aug 15, 2022

No, this is a Shelter for people. But good luck on your search to find an Animal Shelter to Volunteer at.

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Is this a place someone can sleep at night?

rae whoo | May 15, 2022
Michael Darling | May 15, 2022

No, it's not

Do you guys accept homesless couples?

Mena Nicole | May 15, 2022
Z33 | May 15, 2022

If u need a place for a couple with kids, the best place would be the family shelter. If you're without kids but u want to stay close to each other I would try Faith Mission or maybe Van Buren.

Do they accept homeless mothers with kids

Alesha Sumpter | Apr 15, 2022
JS my opinion | May 15, 2022

This isn't an overnight shelter but yes they will help a mother and her children.

I have hear different things about the services they offer and wanted to find out what exactly they offer. Do they offer help with showers and I also heard that you are able to wash your laundry? Any information?

Sunny Anthony | Mar 16, 2022
Kevin Morris | Mar 16, 2022

New place just opened very nice, staff also. Lunch, clothing, showers, help with SSI cards, medical, mail, I'm sure there is more. Come on in mon-fri 10am to 2pm

why cant i pick my checks up now

Gerald Myers | Jan 15, 2022
schaunie redd | Jan 15, 2022

The closed for holiday will reopen jan 4th 2022 at new location off parsons ave

What days/hours can I drop off donations?

Emily Joyce | Nov 16, 2021
AnnMarie Buswell-Multari | Nov 16, 2021

Definitely not Tuesday, they do camp gear & it's super busy 🤷🏽‍♀️

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Will you accept blankets and coats?

Joyce Dieber | Nov 16, 2021
Jonathan Gildersleeve | Nov 16, 2021

They do most of. The time.

Donations. Ladies plus size clothes When can I donate?

Kay Wallace | Oct 17, 2021
Dorthea Ward | Nov 16, 2021

anytime call the day before and let them know your dropping donation off you will drop them on the east side of the building I the back

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do you have showers for the homeless?

Damien (Seymour Sparechange) | Sep 12, 2021
danielle smith | Sep 12, 2021

Only if you staying on site but they stay so nasty even after the cleaning people come. People don't let them get all the way done before they go in the restrooms and have them looking like a pig pen literally. The health department needs to come out to it

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Do you provide free greyhound or plane tickets?

PatronSaint OfJunkies | Sep 12, 2021
danielle smith | Sep 12, 2021

No

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Do they house a married couple in a room together?

Angela S | Sep 12, 2021
Angel Lindsay | Sep 12, 2021

No they don't.

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Can I get mail here?

Thomas Kane | Sep 12, 2021
Anntoinette Scott | Sep 12, 2021

Just ask for Mr. Solomon he will help u with whatever u need hes great!

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I am 19 years old, I am currently pregnant and employed..I lost my home.do they give bus passes for the ones that needs to get around?

TeeBabee | Sep 12, 2021
Carol Woods | Sep 12, 2021

Not sure but join does!

Do they except dogs

Rochelle Woody | Sep 12, 2020
Michelle Kerns | Sep 12, 2020

Unless it's a service dog if not then no they do not

Do they accept married couples

Corey Thomas | Sep 13, 2019
Michael Bulen | Sep 13, 2019

Yep....sure do

Do you accept donations of bedding and clothing

Cheryl Engard | Sep 13, 2019
Jae Haston | Sep 13, 2019

Bedding as in blankets, pillows & sheets. Yes

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What if any donations are accepted other than money

Kathy Dearwester | Sep 13, 2019
William Jones | Sep 13, 2019

Yes.You can donate food,clothing, really any item's that a person can use.Personal hygiene items are really needed

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What hours are your services offered?

Doreen Tompkins | Sep 13, 2019
Harry Yeprem | Sep 13, 2019

10a-2p Monday through Friday. We are a Day Services Shelter

Do they help with house

Mary Norris | Sep 13, 2018
Randall Davis | Sep 13, 2018

They know a couple of slumlords they line-up people with that they are payee for, but other than that I won't deal with them again.

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Is it clean. How is the food? How is the staff?

Charles F. Clayborn | Sep 13, 2018
Willie Wallace | Sep 13, 2018

It's clean the food is good the staff is about its business

Will they be serving dinner at Broad St Methodist Church tonight?

Michael Hodges | Sep 13, 2018
Willie Wallace | Sep 13, 2018

I'm not sure when you posted your question I cannot give you a definite answer about on what nights that they serve dinner at the Broad Street location there is a thing that is called a street card if you have an opportunity to get a hold of that it tells you not only one they serve dinner at the Broad Street location but where and when they serve dinner at other locations as well again that's called a street card if you get an opportunity to get a hold of one of those it has a lot of other helpful information as well

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How do you get into this shelter

Marie Bates 2 | Sep 13, 2018
AnnMarie Buswell | Sep 13, 2018

Go down high street heading south from broad, towards the courthouse. On mound street, turn left. You'll pass a garage on right and there's an alley. You'll see a small sign that says Open Shelter with a few steps leading up to the door.

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