Get Involved

Community Shelter Services gratefully accepts donations of time, money, clothing and household goods. These items are tax-deductible and all items are given directly to the clients we serve. Donations can be dropped off at the emergency shelter, which is open 24-hours-a-day at 652 West 17th Street Erie, PA 16502. Clients look forward to donations of gently-used clothing, shoes, or other household items.  Items like dishes, bedding, and other household neccessities help the homeless furnish an apartment or home when they leave the emergency shelter. 

Another way to help the homeless is to cook and serve meals in the agency’s emergency shelter. Several church groups, student volunteers and community service groups enjoy hosting a meal or snack time. The agency serves 25 meals a week and a snack every night around 8 p.m. This is a unique experience that teaches us to be thankful for what we have!

One tradition at Mercyhurst College has been for freshman students to come to the Lodge on Sass and prepare a weekly community meal for the residents. Every Thursday, residents are provided with a community meal to help foster friendship and a family-type environment. It is also used to help stretch the food sources for those staying in the single-room occupancy facilities.

The agency also accepts donations of canned and non-perishable food to help stock the food pantry in the emergency shelter. Another exciting way to feed the homeless is to drop off unused food after a party or catered event. Several local businesses donate cake or other special treats like cookies after a meeting has ended. And one local church holds an annual grill-out at the agency every summer! Can’t cook? That’s o.k. some groups order pizza, pasta or antipasto and bring it in to serve to those in the emergency shelter, which is also a very generous way to help those staying at Community Shelter Services.

Other fun ways to promote the issue of homelessness is to have a car wash, a penny drive or sell lemonade in your neighborhood. Any creative ideas are always welcome! And please consider asking your local church group or service organization if they would enjoy a tour of the agency. Tours for both large and small groups can be arranged by contacting denise@communityshelter.org or by calling 455-4369 x 28. 

Another way to aid those in need in our community is to consider collecting toiletries for those children and families staying in the agency’s emergency shelter. Many times, those that stay in the shelter come with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Donated toiletries are needed to help those who are less fortunate enjoy simple luxuries like soap, shampoo and diapers. Consider asking your friends, relatives or schoolmates to give these much-needed items. Giving a little extra could mean the world to someone without those basic necessities. These donations can be dropped off anytime at the emergency shelter at 652 West 17th Street, Erie, PA 16502.
 
For more information on how you can help homeless citizens, call 455-4369.