Our Upper East Side and Upper West Side Open Hearts chapters are collaborating to assemble and distribute care kits to neighbors experiencing street homelessness. We are excited to partner with Project 12:31 to get this done! We need volunteers to assemble and distribute kits on the UWS (location upon RSVP).

I want to help assemble and/or distribute

RSVP below if you’re interested in helping with any of the following!

• Help set up (from 9 AM - 10 AM)

• Assemble kits (10 AM - 12 PM)

• Distribute kits outside (12 PM - 1:30 PM)

  I want to donate to the care kits

  You can donate money to help purchase the supplies here, or purchase directly from our wishlist!

Upper West Side Open Hearts is putting together gift bags for Mother’s Day gift bags for moms living at several shelters in the neighborhood.

Here’s how to help:

Purchase items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 5/8)

Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 5/9)

Pack and distribute gift bags on the UWS on Saturday 5/10 at 10 AM or 5/12 in the mid-morning. Address will be provided upon RSVP. Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to sign up!

Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is putting together care kits for homeless neighbors in Lower Manhattan!

Here’s how to help:

• Purchase kit items from our wishlist.

• Pack the care kits (date and location TBD) - email Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org if you’re interested in helping with this, and she’ll share the details!

• Distribute care kits with us in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, April 23, 12pm-1pm - email Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org if you’re interested in helping with this, and she’ll share the details!

Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is collecting donations for their warm workwear clothing drive for residents of a downtown women’s shelter.

Items Needed

New or gently-used business casual clothing of all sizes, including but not limited to:

• Cardigans/sweaters

• Vests

• Collared or plain shirts

• Dress pants

• Blazers

• Coats and jackets

NEW:

• Socks

• Thermalwear

• Underwear

Donations of clothing across the gender spectrum are welcome. Please make sure all clothing is washed before donating!

How to Donate

Two options:

1. Drop off donations in Harlem on February 18, 19, or 20 from 10:30am-3pm. Contact jayme@openheartsinitiative.org to register to drop off and get the details.

2. Pick up available in Queens and Brooklyn through February 23. Contact mahirahbillah@gmail.com to schedule a pickup.

Our Upper East Side Open Hearts chapter is organizing a Valentine’s day free store, offering winter clothing, toiletries, toys, snacks, resources, and more. Everything is free, and all are welcome!

I want to volunteer at the Free Store:

We need LOTS of volunteers on the day of the Free Store, including for shifts before and after the event. Sign up here

Douglaston Open Hearts and Zion Episcopal Church are organizing a Free Store for the residents of the Douglaston Women’s Shelter.

Donate

We’re looking for new or gently-used women’s spring clothing and brand-new toiletries. Please note: we are NOT accepting items outside of these categories.

Drop off your donations at the parish office of Zion Episcopal Church (Church St. and Orient Pl. in Douglaston) on Tuesdays through Fridays, 9am-1pm, before February 16.

Or donate from our Amazon wishlist!

Questions? Reach out to Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org.

Upper West Side Open Hearts is putting together Valentine’s care kits for families living at several shelters in the neighborhood.

Here’s how to help:

Purchase stocking items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 2/7)

Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps. (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 2/9)

Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is organizing a holiday gift drive and fun gathering for neighbors at a local Safe Haven shelter.

• Volunteer at the holiday gift distribution and gathering at the Safe Haven on Friday 12/20, 7pm-9pm. Location provided upon RSVP. To RSVP, email Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org.

Upper West Side Open Hearts is organizing a Thanksgiving pie distribution at the Newton Hotel shelter. Here’s how to help:

• Bring a pie to the Newton Hotel shelter on Monday, November 25th from 3:30pm-5:30pm! To sign up and get address details, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. Please sign up in advance so we know how many pies to expect.

• Donate here to help us fill in the gaps and make sure all our neighbors at the shelter get some seasonal treats!

Our Upper East Side Open Hearts chapter is organizing a summer free store, offering summer clothing, toiletries, toys, snacks, resources, and more. Everything is free, and all are welcome.

I want to shop at the Free Store:

Great! The Free Store will be open for shopping on Saturday, July 13 from 1pm-3pm, at the Church of Heavenly Rest (1085 5th Ave, at E. 90th St in Manhattan). The church is near the M1, M2, M3, and M4 bus stops on E. 90th St and the 4/5/6 train stop at E. 86th St.

I want to volunteer at the Free Store:

We need LOTS of volunteers on the day of the Free Store, including for shifts before and after the event. Get more info and sign up here.

I want to donate items to the Free Store:

There are two ways to donate.

Drop off donations: We're looking for new or gently used summer clothing, toiletries (unopened only!), and toys and games (portable is preferred). These items ONLY can be dropped off at the Church of Heavenly Rest (1085 5th Ave in Manhattan), ONLY on Friday, July 12 from 4pm-6pm and Saturday, July 13 from 11am-1pm. Help us get a sense of what donations will be coming in by filling out the sign up form here.

Purchase items for donation from the wishlist: Click here to purchase items for donation from our Amazon wishlist, which will be shipped directly to the Church of Heavenly Rest (our host for the Free Store event). 

The OHI Midtown chapter is gathering at Pando Park (450 Park Avenue) on Thursday, June 27th from 5:30-7pm to collect more books for the drive at the Ramada Inn women's shelter! They are looking for books in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Drop off your books and/or stay for a drink to meet other members of Open Hearts! Email caroline@openheartsinitative.org if you can make it!