Donate Goods, Food and Other Necessities

Most families and individuals at Shelter Network arrive with almost nothing and depend on donations for household goods, food and other necessities. Your donation will make a real difference in the everyday lives of homeless children, parents, and single adults.

There is a particular need for department store or grocery gift certificates, kitchenware, and disposable items and toiletries such as soap, toothpaste and paper products.

Download and print the needs list for our family shelters or for our single adult shelter programs (Maple Street Shelter and the Vendome Hotel program).

Host a drive to collect items that are needed.

For more information on donating household goods, food, or other items, please contact the Shelter Network, Communications Assistant, at donating@shelternetwork.org or 650-685-5880 x114.

---

Program-Specific Needs

Family Shelter Program Needs Children's Supplies disposable diapers (especially large sizes) school supplies, arts & crafts supplies educational toys that are like-new Kitchen Items can-openers, pots, pans paper plates, bowls, cups plastic and silver utensils paper towels, napkins aluminum foil, plastic wrap toasters, coffee makers, microwaves All Toiletries and Feminine Hygiene Products Cleaning Supplies Office Supplies copy paper (white and colored), file folders envelopes, labels, binder tab dividers writing pads, scotch tape & dispensers Clothing (must be clean and folded) MOST NEEDED: sweaters, coats, large-size business-attire for men and women children's clothing if it is like-new NEW underwear and socks Household Items sheets, pillows, blankets towels and washcloths trash cans and liners lamps, TVs, alarm clocks (working only) flashlights, batteries extension cords, tool kits Gift Certificates to grocery stores, department stores, shoe stores, pharmacies, gas stations

Single Adults Shelter Program Needs All Toiletries and Feminine Hygiene Products Kitchen Items can-openers paper plates, bowls, cups, plastic utensils paper towels, napkins aluminum foil, plastic wrap coffee makers, microwaves Cleaning Supplies Office Supplies copy paper - white and colored envelopes, labels, binder tab dividers file folders, pens writing pads, scotch tape & dispensers Clothing (must be clean and folded) business-attire for men and women large-size men's clothing NEW underwear and socks Flip flops / shower shoes Household Items twin-size sheets, pillows, blankets plastic mattress covers (twin size) towels and washcloths lamps, small TVs, alarm clocks (working only) flashlights, batteries (AA, AA, 9V) reading glasses

---

Items We Do Not Accept

Our free services are possible because of the community's generous in-kind donations and financial support. Because we have limited storage space, and in order to minimize disposal costs and overhead, we can only accept items our residents can use immediately in the shelter or in their apartments once they graduate from our programs. Regrettably, we cannot accept:

• Dirty, torn, or broken items
• Car seats or Cribs (for safety reasons)
• Desktop computers (over 3 yrs old)
• Any item in need of repair
• Knick-knacks
• Carpeting
• Candles
• Wine glasses or any alcohol-related items

Furniture

We can only accept furniture donations if they can be immediately used in our facilities. Please contact the Communications Assistant at 650-685-5880 x114 to discuss if your donations would be of use to our program right now. We do pick-ups of furniture items from locations in San Mateo County about once a month.

Thank you for understanding our limited resources and storage space. We have partnerships with other organizations that specialize in receiving certain donations, storage, and distribution to people in need, including:

• St. Vincent de Paul (650-343-4405)
• The Salvation Army (800-95-TRUCK)
• Goodwill (888-446-6394)
• Ecumenical Hunger Program (650-323-7781)