Support Opportunity House

About Us

Mission & History
Officers, Board Members, Administration
Power Point Presentation about OH statistics

Programs

Support Us

How Can I Help?

Financial Gifts.
Financial support from people like you is essential for the continued operation of Opportunity House. For generous gifts to the agency, special event information, or Planned Giving opportunities to ensure these services for future generations, please contact Lorri Oziri at 610-374-4696 ext. 226.
Donor clubs Special members-only benefits for donations of $1,000 or more.

Include Opportunity House in your Estate
The Annette Painter Society

Donate directly from your IRA
On Aug. 17, 2006, the president signed the Pension Protection Act of 2006 which contains a provision that permits owners of IRAs and other forms of qualified retirement plans to make unlimited tax-free lifetime transfers from such plans to charity or to split-interest charitable gift planning vehicles such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts. For more information click here or contact Lorri Oziri (info. at top).

Recurring Gifts - ACH Debit

Opportunity House now offers the convenience of ACH Debit to our donors. This optional avenue of giving may be used for those contributors who would like to commit to giving to Opportunity House on a “recurring basis.”

What is ACH Debit?
Electronic Funds Transfer, also known as Automated Clearing House or ACH Debit is a method which allows you (the donor) to transfer funds by instructing an agency to electronically debit a bank account you control for the amount that you report to the agency. Your account will be debited only upon your authorization (appropriate forms must be signed and submitted to Opportunity House and your banking institution) for the amount you specify on the specific dates you agree to.

What are Recurring Gifts?
A recurring gift is one that has been offered by an individual or business and continues to give on a regular cycle. The cycle can be determined by the contributor (donor.) Some recurring gifts are committed to on an annual basis (one time per year, each year indefinitely), quarterly (four times per time repeating year after year on this basis), or monthly, too, in a similar manner.

What makes a recurring gift different from a pledge?
Primarily, the gifts have no predetermined end-date. Donors are not simply making large pledges and paying them off over time. Rather, they are faithful supporters of the work at Opportunity House and wish to demonstrate that commitment with regular, ongoing gifts. When signing up for recurring gifts, donors give Opportunity House permission to charge their credit cards every month (or predetermined time-frame) for a set amount or automatically withdraw donations from their bank accounts.

Why Might A “Recurring Gift” Appeal to You?
Recurring giving supports your desire to know your hard earned money is going to programs instead of fundraising costs.

Recurring giving supports The Agency’s need to have a reliable source of income that helps our programs make long-term commitments to projects, producing sustainable change over time.

Recurring gifts are convenient and easy for you by eliminating the need for checks, cutting down on direct mail and telemarketing calls you receive.

Finally, by committing to a regular “recurring” gift, you are making a very strong long-term commitment to Opportunity House, our programs, and the betterment of our community.

For additional information about “recurring gifts” and/or to sign-up for “ACH Debit” benefits with Opportunity House, please contact Lorri Oziri, Vice President for Development at 610-374-4696, ext. 226 or loziri@opphouse.org.

Donate online
Click here to give a donation online.

Save-A-Tape Program

Redner's is committed to the communities that it is a part of, and wants to help out the non-profit organizations whose members shop in our stores. In this interest, Redner's developed their 1% Save-A-Tape program.

Here's how it works: Groups and Individuals can save the tapes…….

When you shop at any Redner’s market stop at the store office or Customer Service area to get a Save-A-Tape card. By using this card each time you purchase merchandise at Redner's Warehouse Markets, your receipt will be designated as a Save-A-Tape customer receipt. Save up all your receipts and on a regular basis that is convenient for you send them to Opportunity House at 430 North Second Street, Reading, PA 19601 (attention: Development Dept.)

An example of how your tapes can help raise dollars for Opportunity House: Let's say your group has 50 families with an average of $75.99 per week in supermarket expenditures. If it was all spent at Redner's Warehouse Markets, and you saved tapes for a year, Opportunity House would receive a check for $1,950. There is no time limit and no dollar limit.

If you start saving tapes today, you will begin to help Opportunity House for tomorrow. Thank you!

Speakers Bureau: Invite us to speak at your company, organizational or religious meetings.
There is so much to share and so many pre-conceived ideas about “shelters” that need to be overcome in our community. We have many talented staff members and volunteers who enjoy the opportunity to share about the challenges and successes seen at the Opportunity House! Call Lorri Oziri at 610-374-4696 ext. 226 to schedule a speaker for your next meeting!

For Gifts of Time and Gifts-in-kind, please call our In-Kind Hot Line at 610-374-4696, ext. 237. Opportunity House is not accepting clothing at this time. For furniture or other items not listed below, please call our hotline to arrange an approved drop-off date/time.

Volunteer - Gifts of Time
Approximately 60 religious, business and civic volunteer groups provide supper meals to Shelter clients and are scheduled up to a year in advance for their "duty" nights. Additionally, many groups provide weekend breakfasts and lunches.
Click here for more information and to volunteer.

BRIDGES: the young leaders of Opportunity House
The mission of BRIDGES is to help ensure the future of Opportunity House. Young professionals in the community have joined together in this mission to help Opportunity House reach their goals. This group assumes a leadership role in planning special charitable and social events at the agency. If you are a motivated, young leader and would like more information, please contact Susan Stalnecker at 610-374-4696, ext. 231 or sstalnecker@opphouse.org.

Gifts-in-kind
Even beyond financial support, the Shelter always needs help with everyday supplies. As you think of ways you may be able to contribute, please keep everyday necessities such as these in mind:

Constant needs:

Personal hygiene products, especially sample or "hotel" size shampoos and soaps
Deodorant
Feminine products
Razors
Toothpaste & brushes
Combs

Infants

Diapers (size L and XL)
Lotion
Soap
Shampoo

Adults/Children

School uniforms (Reading Schools)
Socks, underwear
Over the counter medicines for allergies, fever, upset stomach

Household Items (new or used)

Utensils, dishes, pots and pans, pillows, sheets and pillow cases, towels and wash cloths
Small appliances, alarm clocks, hair dryers, cleaning products, paper products.

Shelter Kitchen

Lids for pots, sharp knives, hot pads and mitts, spice rack, medium sized pots, table knives, spatulas, quart and gallon size storage containers, dish towels, large serving spoons.

Who to contact

Childcare opportunities: Vickie Moll...610-374-4696, ext. 240
Shelter Maintenance/Organization - 610-374-4696, ext. 247
Meal Preparation - Delia McLendon.- 610-374-4696, ext. 230
Office Assistance - Gail Focht - 610-374-4696, ext. 222

If you would like more information about volunteering opportunities, click here to fill out a form and submit it. You will be contacted with volunteering information.

Opportunity House is located in Reading, Pennsylvania and serves residents of Berks County. Our goal is to help families and adults become and remain independent members of our community.