Five ways for businesses to help Project Hope for the Homeless
1. Financial Donations
Consider a financial gift through our secure online donation process. It only costs $43 per night, per person, to provide shelter and a goal-driven program that in 2024 helped 76% of Project Hope for the Homeless guests improve their lives.
Click here now to make a financial donation.
Your support can be life-changing for one family or individual struggling to get out of homelessness.
Checks and money orders can be sent to:
Project Hope for the Homeless
P.O. Box 2035
Painesville, OH 44077
2. Collection Drives
A great way for businesses to help Project Hope for the Homeless in Painesville Township, Ohio, is to organize a collection drive of items listed on Project Hope for the Homeless’ Current Needs Wish List.
This donation helps Project Hope for the Homeless offset shelter expenses and allows our staff to focus on the greatest need: helping our guests find new homes.
Planning the Event
Contact Missy Knight, our Volunteer Services Director at 440-354-6417 ext.106, or by e-mail at mknight@projecthopeforthehomeless.org to get started and to arrange a time to drop off your donations at the shelter, located at 25 Freedom Road.
3. Meal Donations
Scheduling a Nightly Hot Meal
All of our meals are donated with dinners served every day of the year including all holidays. Reserve your choice of days and learn more about donating a meal by contacting Missy Knight, our volunteer services director, at 440-354-6417 ext. 106 or mknight@projecthopeforthehomeless.org.
Please call to schedule and make delivery arrangements for all meals. Food donations will not be accepted unless previously approved and/or scheduled by daytime staff. Evening shelter staff cannot accommodate early arrivals.
Feeding our families, Monday through Friday
Family meals for 15-20 should be dropped off at 5 p.m. You must call or email to make preparation and delivery arrangements.
Feeding our adult guests, Monday through Friday
A meal for 50 individuals should be dropped off at 6:45 p.m. Meals should be ready-to-eat upon delivery. You must call or email to make preparation and delivery arrangements.
Food Preparation
Food must be prepared off site and kept at the appropriate temperature in disposable containers such as aluminum foil pans until served.
Delivery Procedures
Shelter staff and volunteers will be available to help bring food into the shelter at door #4. Please sign in when you drop off the meal, giving your full name and address.
4. Packing lunches
Packing lunches for guests of Project Hope for the Homeless can be a rewarding and fun project for businesses along with families and groups looking for a way to become involved or continue a partnership. Not all guests daily request a lunch— so feel free to donate an amount of packed lunches that is appropriate for you. Since the daily amount of lunch needs varies and donations are not scheduled, a properly packed sack lunch is critical for storage. This ensures that when the need arises, healthy lunches will be fresh and available.
Inquiries and donation arrangements can be made by calling Missy Knight, our volunteer services director at 440-354-6417 ext. 106 or e-mailing mknight@projecthopeforthehomeless.org.
Here are some tips and suggestions to make sure your donation is used to its fullest potential.
A STANDARD LUNCH INCLUDES:
A water bottle, sweet item, salty item, fruit or vegetable, sandwich, napkin & disposable utensil, when necessary
DO NOT PACK FRESH FRUIT, VEGGIES or SANDWICHES.
These items are an ideal addition, but they spoil quickly. Please bring these items separately and our volunteers will store and include them at the right time.
Lunch Wish List:
BULK DONATIONS
Napkins, spoons, forks, bread, sliced lunch meat & cheese, jam, canned tuna fish, jar of sweet pickle relish, jar of mayonnaise
INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED DONATIONS
Packets of mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise; flavor packets for bottled water; bottled water; granola bars; fruit and grain bars; chips, cookies; crackers; snack cakes; candy; fruit cups; apple/fruit sauce; Jell-O; pudding
5. Shelter Volunteer
Note: Minors 15-17 must be accompanied by a parent. Speak with Volunteer Services Director Missy Knight at 440-354-6417 ext. 106 or send an e-mail to mknight@projecthopeforthehomeless.org if you have any questions or concerns.
If you feel called to lend a helping hand of hope, please complete this Online Application.
Volunteer Job Description: To help create a safe, caring, supportive environment for homeless shelter guests by providing assistance to staff & giving informal support to shelter guests. To respect the dignity and self-esteem of all shelter guests in interaction with them.
Evening Adult Shelter volunteers: 7-11 p.m.
Arrive at 6:45 p.m. to get the site ready to welcome guests, serve dinner to the adult shelter guests. Volunteers will also get to dine with staff and guests. After dinner they clean up the service table, store leftovers and wash serving dishes. Light chores, packing lunches and providing informal support to staff and guests may also be a part of the evening service. Evening volunteers work in teams of 2 or 3, alongside three staff members.
Morning Adult Shelter volunteers: 5:30-7 a.m.
Arrive at 25 Freedom Road to ready and send off shelter guests, preparing them for a new day of hope. Volunteers will distribute lunches, clean up after a light breakfast and help staff monitor guests as they head out the door. What a great way to start your day!
Families Moving Forward
Family volunteers will spend time with the families staying at 25 Freedom Road, helping with homework, playing with children, serving dinner and snacks, and assisting staff.
Early afternoon family volunteer: 1-4 p.m.; Late afternoon family volunteer: 4-7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday Evening family volunteer: 5-7 p.m.