NEW NEEDS FOR FALL: Donation Drive for Riverside Terrace!
The list has been updated for fall!
We are collecting donations again for families living at the Riverside Terrace shelter! Add your name next to items on the spreadsheet that you would like to donate. Items can be new or lightly worn! After you sign up, organizers will reach out to connect you with the room number and to provide further information about drop-off. Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org, if you have any questions!
Bring a Thanksgiving Pie for Families in Shelter
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!
Distribute donations to neighbors at the Waldo Sanctuary in Riverdale
After receiving many donations for families staying at the new sanctuary shelter in Riverdale, it’s time to distribute supplies on 11/15! Help out by:
Driving supplies up to the site from the OHI storage space in Harlem: 2 - 3 PM
Handing out supplies and getting to know neighbors on site at the shelter: 3-5 PM
Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to RSVP
Address shared upon sign up
Fall Care Kits for the W. 83rd St Safe Haven
Upper West Side Open Hearts is excited to put together fall care kits for neighbors living at the W. 83rd St Safe Haven! Right now, there are 3 ways to help:
Purchase supplies for the kits from our Amazon wish list!
Help pack the kits on Sunday 10/20 from 1:30pm-3pm
Help distribute kits on Thursday 10/24 from 4pm-6 PM.
Interested in helping pack or distribute? Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to sign up!
Suitcase and MetroCard Fundraiser
Upper East Side Open Hearts, in collaboration with the Movement for Justice in El Barrio, is raising money to provide suitcases and MetroCards for families needing to move out of their shelter in East Harlem. Use the button below to donate! If you have suitcases on hand to donate, you can fill out this form!
Support the Waldo Sanctuary in Riverdale!
A new sanctuary shelter for migrant families is opening in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx! Bronx Open Hearts, in collaboration with various neighbor groups, is organizing a donation drive of food, toiletries, and supplies. Support the families as they move in by ordering from the Amazon wish list!
Back to School Drive for Kids at the Bentley Hotel Shelter
Upper East Side Open Hearts is now collecting school supply donations for kids and families living at the Bentley Hotel! Scan the QR code to purchase supplies from our wishlist, or access it here. Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org, if you have any questions!
Midtown Baby Supply Donation Drive
The OHI Midtown chapter is gathering supplies for migrant parents giving birth at Mount Sinai West! There is a big need for strollers, baby clothes, and baby supplies. There are 3 ways to help!
Order items from our Amazon Wishlist. They’ll be delivered to the OHI office, and we’ll transport them to the Hospital!
Donate funds here! All donations will be used to purchase items!
Have supplies on hand? Fill out this form to let us know and we can arrange pickup.
Contact caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you have any questions!
Donate to Welcome Kits for Washington St Safe Haven
A Safe Haven—a low-barrier shelter serving folks who have been living on the streets—is opening on Washington St in the Financial District! Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is putting together “welcome kits” with basic needs items, homemade cards, and neighborhood resources to help our new neighbors settle in—and we need your help to make it happen! Here’s how to help:
Purchase items from the wishlist
Check out our Amazon wishlist to order items that we’ll be putting in the welcome kits.
Help cover the costs
Donate money through our PayPal donation link, and we’ll use it to purchase any items still needed for the welcome kits after other donations have come in.
Help assemble the welcome kits
See here for details!
Upper East Side Free Store
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).
Midtown Open Hearts Book Drive Drop Off + Happy Hour
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!
Safety Kit Fundraiser for Bronx Neighbors
Some of our Bronx chapter members, in conjunction with medical students at Albert Einstein, have organized a fundraiser for safety kits for unhoused Bronx neighbors! Each kit will contain hand sanitizer, socks, food, water, deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, and will be distributed directly on the streets. Use the link below to donate if you’re interested, or to share it with your networks!
Book Drive for the Ramada Shelter
Midtown Open Hearts is organizing a book drive for our neighbors at the shelter at the Ramada on W. 44th St!
Drop off books for adults in English, Spanish, or Cantonese at the Ramada (343 W. 44th St, between 8th and 9th Ave in Manhattan) at the front desk!
Stroller Fundraiser
Upper East Side Open Hearts, in collaboration with the Movement for Justice in El Barrio, is raising money to provide baby strollers and carriages for families living in the HERRC on E. 97th and 3rd Ave. Use the button below to donate!
Douglaston April Free Store
Douglaston Open Hearts + Zion Episcopal Church are offering a Free Store for the residents of the Douglaston Women's Shelter on April 27. Here’s how you can help:
Volunteer at the Free Store
Email info@openheartsinitiative.org and we’ll get you plugged in!
Sort donations
Help sort donations at Zion Episcopal Church on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 17, 9:30am-12pm
Friday, April 19, 9:30am-12pm
Wednesday, April 24, 9:30am-12pm
Friday, April 26, 9:30am-12pm
Donate items
Purchase items for donation through the Amazon wishlist (these will be delivered directly to the church), or drop off gently used or new items (women’s spring clothing and brand new toiletries only!) at Zion Episcopal Church’s parish office, from Tuesdays-Fridays 9am-1pm.
Toiletry Drive for the Newton Hotel
The UWS Open Hearts shelter support team for the Newton Hotel is gathering NEW toiletries for asylum-seeking families living at the Newton Hotel.
Baby Supplies Drive for Midtown Asylum Seekers
NOTE: The drive has been extended through April 5!
Our Midtown Open Hearts chapter is collaborating with Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and State Senator Liz Krueger to collect baby supplies for a neighborhood asylum-seeker shelter!
Drop off items for donation
Donate NEW undershirts (sizes 0-4T), socks, strollers, car seats, diapers, wipes, bottles, baby blankets, baby carriers and backpacks, and baby formula by dropping off at Assembly Member Harvey Epstein’s office (107 Avenue B in Manhattan) from 11am-4pm on the following dates: March 11-15, March 18-22, March 25-29, and April 1-5.
Purchase items for donation through the wishlist
Use the online wishlist to purchase items for donation that will be shipped directly to Assembly Member Epstein's office, and from there will be distributed to neighbors at the shelter.
Donate money to support outstanding needs
Donate here to contribute funds that we'll use to purchase any additional items needed to fill the gaps after the other donations come in.
West 83rd St. Safe Haven Resource Distribution + Community-Building Event
Over the last few months, new neighbors have moved into a Safe Haven shelter on the Upper West Side. We’re excited to have them as neighbors and are organizing a sidewalk resource distribution and community-building event!
4 Ways to Help
Send items for the distribution by ordering from our Amazon wishlist! (Items will be shipped directly to one of our volunteers, who will deliver them to the event.) The Amazon wishlist is HERE.
Send a financial donation to be used on supplies! You can send donations through PayPal HERE.
Drop off winter gear and shoes! If you have adult-sized winter gear (hats, gloves, scarves, etc.) or shoes that you’d like to donate for our resource distribution, send an email to Bennett (bennett@openheartsinitiative.org) and he’ll follow up with you. NOTE: If you’re looking to donate a winter coat for folks at the Safe Haven, please direct it to the coat drive organized by our friends at B’nai Jeshurun, which folks at the Safe Haven will have access to!
Volunteer with us at the distribution! If you’re available on the afternoon of Thursday, December 14th, and want to meet new neighbors and distribute resources to Safe Haven residents, send an email to Bennett (bennett@openheartsinitiative.org) and he’ll follow up with you.
Newton Winter Holiday Drive
Our Upper West Side Open Hearts shelter support team for the Newton Hotel shelter is continuing to organize after a successful event last month! Now, they're gathering toys, gifts, and winter gear for the children at the shelter.
To purchase toys and gifts from the wishlist, which will be shipped to one of our volunteers, click here.
Want to help distribute items on Wednesday 12/20 from 4pm-6pm? Send us an email at info@openheartsinitiative.org. Spanish speakers are especially needed!
UES Holiday Gift Drive
Upper East Side Open Hearts is organizing a holiday gift drive for children at a local shelter! We have 200+ wishes to fulfill and need all the help we can get! Here's how you can help:
Donate
Option #1 - HIGHEST PRIORITY: “Adopt” a family to provide holiday gifts! Sign up using this form to be assigned to a family and tasked with providing holiday gifts for them based on the children's wishlists!
Option #2: Don't have time to shop for gifts? Donate through this GoFundMe set up by UES volunteer Maria--she'll use the funds to shop for gifts for any children who aren't able to be matched to a donor.
Volunteer
We anticipate that we'll need extra help assembling and delivering the donated gifts! If you're available on the weekend of December 16-17 and/or on an evening between December 18-20, let Bennett know at bennett@openheartsinitiative.org, and we'll be in touch when we nail down exact details.
Midtown Book Drive
Midtown Open Hearts is organizing a book drive for neighbors at the Hudson Family Residence in collaboration with Manhattan Community Board 4! We're looking for books for children and teens of all ages--in English, Spanish, or both. All books must be in excellent condition or new. You can bring your books directly to the Hudson Family Residence at 440 W. 41st St (between Dyer Ave and 10th Ave) in Manhattan. If you live in Midtown and have books to donate but are unable to drop off, please reach out to us at info@openheartsinitiative.org and we can try to arrange a pickup.
Donation Drive for The Andrews Safe Haven
Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is organizing a donation drive for our neighbors at the Andrews! The Andrews is a Safe Haven offering temporary housing for our homeless neighbors as they navigate a pathway to permanent housing. This is a very specialized type of transitional housing, designed to accommodate homeless individuals who do not make use of traditional shelter.
We are holding a donation drive for the below items:
-Sunscreen
-Hygiene products
-Headphones
-Underwear
-Undershirts
-Sweatpants
You can make a purchase directly from our Amazon wish list at bit.ly/andrews-donations-drive. The items will be sent directly to Michelle Adams at The Andrews.
If you already have items on hand that you'd like to donate in person, please email Elisa at elisamuyl@gmail.com.
Welcome Kits for W. 83rd St Safe Haven
Help welcome new neighbors on the Upper West Side! UWS Open Hearts and B’nai Jeshurun are organizing welcome kits for residents who will be moving into the Breaking Ground Safe Haven at 106-108 W. 83rd St. We will show our neighbors that they are welcome here and provide some commonly needed items!
Donate from our wishlist
Note: Please order ASAP to ensure the items arrive in time to be assembled next week. The shipping address will appear as "Attn: Kiana Davis's Gift Registry Address”—this is the correct address.
Help assemble kits on Wednesday, August 9th
We’ll be assembling the kits on Wednesday, August 9th, from 6:30pm-8pm in the chapel at B’nai Jeshurun (270 W. 89th St in Manhattan). Come join us to help put together the welcome kits and create homemade cards for our new neighbors! Let us know you’ll be there by clicking the link below, which will automatically create an email to be sent, or you can just send an email to info@openheartsinitiative.org using your email client of choice :)
Douglaston Welcome Kits
Douglaston Open Hearts is putting together welcome kits for new neighbors who will be moving into a shelter on Northern Boulevard! Several items are still needed to complete the welcome kits.
Upper West Side Spring Event + Free Store
There’s an Upper West Side Spring Event + Free Store coming up on Saturday, April 22nd, 10am-12pm! All items are free, and everyone is welcome.
¡Habrá una encuentro de primavera + tienda gratuita en el Upper West Side el sábado 22 de abril, 10am-12pm! Todos los artículos son gratuitos y todxs son bienvenidxs.
Want to donate?
Please donate gently used or new:
Seasonal casual clothing for adults, kids, and babies (in good condition only) - men’s clothing is especially needed!
Spring jackets, shoes, backpacks
New toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, hand lotion)
New underwear, diapers, hygiene products
Drop off items at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (263 W. 86th St) at one of two times: on Saturday 4/22 from 9am-11:30am, or on Friday 4/21 from 2pm-4pm. No drop-offs outside of those times will be accepted. We will NOT accept furniture, off-season clothing, or stained/damaged items.
Want to volunteer?
We’re looking for folks who can help set up, assist, and pack up the Free Store on Saturday, April 22nd, 9am-1pm. We’re also looking for Spanish speakers! To sign up to volunteer (or with any questions about donations) use the button below to send an email to our UWS Kindness team!
Toiletry Drive Drop-Off
UWSers! Do you have new or unopened toiletries to donate?
Stop by our table outside 106 W. 83rd St on MONDAY, APRIL 3 from 4:30pm-5:30pm to drop them off!
If you prefer to drop off earlier in the day on Monday, please email donations@openheartsinitiative.org to schedule a drop-off.
Upper West Side Valentine's Event + Free Store
Want to shop?
UWS Open Hearts is organizing a Free Store on Saturday, February 11th from 10am-12pm. The store will be located indoors at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (263 W. 86th St). The store will be offering winter clothing, toiletries, a Valentine's gift station with cards to make for a loved one, resources and information, and more! Everyone is welcome, and all items are free!
UWS Open Hearts está organizando una tienda gratuita el sábado 11 de febrero de 10 a. m. a 12 p. m. La tienda estará ubicada en el interior de la Iglesia de San Pablo y San Andrés (263 W. 86th St). La tienda ofrecerá ropa de invierno, artículos de la higiene personal, una estación de regalos de San Valentín con tarjetas para un ser querido, información y recursos, ¡y más! ¡Todxs son bienvenidxs y todos los artículos son gratis!
Want to donate items?
Please donate gently used or new:
Winter clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories for adults + kids (men's clothing is especially needed!)
Toiletries (new or unopened only)
Valentine's Day candy and cards (empty/unused)
You can also purchase items for donation using this wishlist.
Items may be dropped off at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (263 W. 86th St) on Saturday 2/11 from 9am-11:30am. No early drop-offs will be accepted. We will NOT accept furniture, off-season clothing, or stained/damaged items.
Want to volunteer at the Free Store?
We're looking for folks who can help out at the Free Store on Saturday, February 11th in the morning. To sign up to volunteer or to ask any questions about donations, contact the UWS Kindness Committee at donations@openheartsinitiative.org.
