Opportunities From: Open Doors

Volunteer at the SoNo Half / 5K as part of the Open Doors team!  We run an aid station handing out water and sports drinks to runners.  There are also opportunities to volunteer at another part of the race (start/finish line, post-race party, kids activities, etc) as part of the Open Doors team.

The SoNo Half has been a great neighborhood partner.  Every year this event provides free entry to runners who raise funds for Open Doors, and they generously donate any leftover bottled water and fruit to our kitchen and pantry.  

You can also register to run (or walk!) for a reason and raise funds for Open Doors at https://runsignup.com/Race/123423/Charity/20449

Join Open Doors at the Norwalk NICE Festival, an incredible one-day festival celebrating different world cultures through music, food, and the performing arts: https://norwalknice.org

Let people know about resources that Open Doors offers to the community and ways to get involved!

11am-2pm:  Help set up the table and kick off the day!  The NICE Festival starts at 12pm.

2-5pm and 5-8pm:  Work the table and tell people about Open Doors (last team helps pack up!)

THIS IS A VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER / DONATION OPPORTUNITY AND A GREAT WAY TO HELP FROM HOME OR IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY!

**Right now we're particularly in need of the following:

     Bathroom:  Bath mats, bath products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, razors, etc), loofahs / shower puffs, shower curtains with liners and rings, small garbage cans and liners
     Cleaning supplies:  All cleaning supplies!  Download our housewarming lists here.
     Kitchen:  Can openers, cups and mugs, dish sets, dish towels and potholders, flatware sets, kitchen utensil sets, pots and pans

Make a housewarming basket for someone moving into a new home! Fill a laundry basket with bathroom supplies, cleaning products, paper goods, kitchen items, clothes hangers and a nice surprise (like a key holder or welcome mat). You can also adopt a room or an entire apartment to help someone moving from shelter into their own home!

Grab your friends, family, faith group, school or place of employment and rally behind a neighbor's fresh start. You can host a month long drive to collect items, sit outside of your local grocery store for a day, or even decide to build a basket by asking friends or family or purchasing yourself for a family in need; the options are limitless.

You can download our housewarming drive flyer here.  If you'd like to hold an online donation drive, check out our Amazon wishlist!

For information regarding donation drop off dates and times please contact Laura Lopez at llopez@opendoorsct.org or 203-866-1057 ext 104.

THIS IS A VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITY AND A GREAT WAY TO HELP FROM HOME OR IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY!

Hold a donation drive at your workplace, school, or other community spot, or join us for one. We can always use nonperishable food, new underwear and socks, toiletries, and cleaning supplies; other donation drives are held seasonally or as needed.

If you'd like to hold an online food drive, please visit https://opendoorsctdonate.org and purchase some of our most-needed items!  To donate other essential items online, please check out our Amazon wishlist!

For information regarding donation drop off dates and times please contact Erin McDonough at emcdonough@opendoorsct.org or 203-866-1057.

Represent Open Doors at community events and help people learn more about us! Some events are focused on volunteer opportunities while others are geared toward the services we provide.

Hold a donation drive at your workplace, school, or other community spot, or join us for one. We can always use nonperishable food, toiletries and personal items, and housewarming items for people moving to new homes; other donation drives are held seasonally or as needed.

Your donations make an incredible difference for the people we serve!

For information regarding donation drop off dates and times, please contact Erin at emcdonough@opendoorsct.org