Donations
Together, We Make a Difference
Your generosity helps us provide shelter, meals, and critical support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Every donation—big or small—makes a meaningful impact. Whether you're giving once, setting up a recurring gift, or donating items like clothing and toiletries, your support helps us offer hope, dignity, and a path toward stability. Explore the ways you can contribute and see how your donation changes lives.
For more information on how to support the Van Buren Center, please contact: Carolyn Slebodnik
c[email protected]
Donation Needs
Read below for important information regarding our most-needed items and those we cannot accept. . You can purchase items from our Amazon Wish List, with the option to have them shipped directly to the Van Buren Center. Thank you for your support!
Hygiene Supplies
You can help by collecting toiletries and assembling kits with essential items. Click Here to Learn More.
Meals & Food Items
Provide a meal or non-perishable snacks for our guests at Van Buren. Click Here to Learn More.
Welcome Home Baskets
When guests at the shelter are successfully housed we like to ease the transition. Click Here to Learn More.
Success Store
Learn about our guest volunteer program for and items needed. Click Here to Learn More.
List of Donation Needs
We can only accept new, unused, and unopened hygiene items, food, diapers, and any items noted below as "NEW".
Before dropping off any donations, all drop-offs must be scheduled directly with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Hygiene/Personal Care Items
Bar Soap
Deodorant
Razors
Shaving Cream
Shampoo & Conditioner
(travel-size)
Products for Black and African American hair
Clothing Items
NEW Women's Underwear
NEW Men's Boxers
NEW Boy's Underwear
NEW Girl's Underwear
NEW Bras
NEW Adult Sweatshirts
NEW Adult Sweatpants
Food Items
Cereal Cups
Fruit Cups
Granola/Protein Bars
To-Go Soup Cups
Disposable Cups
Napkins
Cutlery Kits
Ramen Noodles
Crackers/Gold Fish Packs
Baby Items
Diapers
--Sizes 4, 5, and 6
Baby Wipes
Baby Bottles
Sippy Cups
Pacifiers
Baby Bibs
NEW Baby Formula
Strollers
How to Drop Off Donations
Please do not leave any items or donations outside our loading dock area. Due to health and safety any donations left on the dock will be discarded. All donations should be coordinated directly with the Volunteer and Donation Coordinator before being brought to Van Buren.
Email us at [email protected] to coordinate a drop-off time and to confirm your donation.
The Do's & Don'ts of Donating Used Clothes
Read the dos and don’ts of donating used clothing to aid groups serving people experiencing homelessness in Portland. Your unwanted clothing could help someone survive and thrive.
Writing and Illustrations by Sarah Mirk. This comic was originally published by Patagonia.
What Item We Cannot Accept
We are grateful for the continuous support and generosity we receive from our community, but due to our limited storage and the scale of our programs and services, we can not regularly accept certain items.
Please review the items we cannot accept before bringing them to Van Buren to donate.
NOT ACCEPTED LIST
-Furniture, cribs, or mattresses
-Appliances and large electronics
-Used clothing with rips, tears, holes, or stains. Also nonseasonal clothing, suits or dress clothes, or any size or type we are at capacity for storage.
-Used toys or stuffed animals
-Used breast pumps or baby bottles
-Opened or used toiletry and personal care items
Appliances/Furniture Donation?
Habitat for Humanity MidOhio Restore accepts a range of appliances, cabinets, lumber, to door handles. Visit their website to learn more.
ReStore Westerville Rd.
3140 Westerville Rd
Columbus OH, 43224
Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
(Donations Drop-offs 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.)
ReStore Bethel Rd.
2555 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43220
Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
(Donations Drop-offs 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.)
ReStore Newark
1660 N. 21st Street
Newark, OH 43055
Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
(Donations Drop-offs 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.)
Give them a call at 614-RESTORE (614-737-8673)
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio accepts furniture, electronics, appliances, and home goods donations, and they will even pick it up for you!
118 South Yale Avenue
Columbus, OH 43222-1369
(614) 272-9544
Clothing & Home Goods Donation?
The Free Store is a great resource for our shelter guests and located close to Van Buren Center. Everything in the store is free! They accept gently used clothing (infant-adult sizes) and household items (books, toys, dishes, linens, baby items, etc.).
946 Parsons Ave,
Columbus, OH 43206
614-443-1713