Welcome!
Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit social service agency, which provides comprehensive services to people in need in greater
Our original program, the Emergency Food Pantry (EFP) provides groceries and non-perishable food to people in need on an emergency basis. In 2009, the EFP staff performed over 12,582 intake visits which in turn provided non-perishable food to 26,922 people.
Open Pantry has served prepared meals to people who are homeless and disadvantaged on a daily basis since our Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen began in 1980. Lunch and supper are available seven days a week to anyone who comes to our door. In 2009, we served 94,872 meals.
Staff members at our Open Door Social Services program provide case management, housing search, mental health and substance abuse assessments, and referrals to people who are homeless. There were over 4,973 case management services provided by Open Door in 2009.
The Teen Living Program under the auspices of the Department of Children & Families opened in 1995. The Teen Living Program provides temporary housing for women with children who are homeless. Staff members provide families with a wide range of advocacy services and skills training.
The Teen Living Program served 34 teen mothers and 41 children in 2009.
Rutledge House and Tranquility House are safe, sober living facilities. Rutledge House is transitional while Tranquility House offers permanent living facility for single women who are homeless. The emphasis of these programs is to help women to maintain sobriety through regular participation in programs of recovery and mutual support from members in the household. In 2009, 6 women used the services at Rutledge House while 8 women resided at Tranquility House.
Our Holiday Meals program provides Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners. Everyone is welcome to participate, no questions asked. Approximately 2,900 meals are served on these three days each year.