Not all homeless shelters are the same, but many of us need the same items. At Leading Families Home, we focus on hygiene items (including those for babies), first aid kits, and cleaning supplies. These items are desperately needed by our Participants in Toledo, Ohio, and you can help by donating them to our shelter today!

Hygiene items are essential; we need them greatly. Many hygiene items are inexpensive, small, and easy-to-find. 

Please consider the items you use daily, like a toothbrush, or items you can’t go without, such as feminine hygiene pads. These are the items that many homeless individuals do not have but need tremendously. 

Hygiene items offer so much to a person. Hygiene items help us keep our dignity – keep us feeling human – and improve our quality of life. Imagine not bathing for days, being unable to brush your teeth or wash your hair. Many of us have never had to go without these items, but many of us have, and we realize how indispensable they are. 

Due to the variety of people we serve, we ask that you purchase unscented, latex- and alcohol-free items only. Please don’t include sharp items, like scissors, or items that need to be plugged into an outlet or require batteries (if possible). Keep items small, so they can be easily carried, and place them into a large, heavy-duty, zippered plastic bag. Please donate disposable items, such as disposable washcloths, not cloth ones, and disposable razors. 

We’ve put together a list of the top hygiene items we’d love for you to donate to our homeless shelter. 

Donations from Jeff White and his team at Caring For Yours, LLC

Medical supplies are in great demand for our Participants. A bandage can help keep infection at bay and ease pain. Latex gloves can be used by one family member treating another and lower the spread of viruses and infections.

Just like hygiene items, first aid items are an essential part of everyday life. Many homeless people do not have the luxury of going to his or her local CVS and picking up something as simple as a bandage to cover a cut. That’s why we ask you to donate these items to our shelter.

Please remember to keep items unscented and latex-free for those with allergies.

Imagine caring for a baby while you’re homeless. A baby is very vulnerable, and without essentials like diapers and wipes, they can become uncomfortable or ill. Again, please keep baby items unscented, so that anyone can use them.

One of our Participants and her beautiful babies.

Our shelter happily accepts donations of cleaning supplies – for us! We need to keep our shelter clean for our Participants, making these supplies crucial for our needs. 

Leading Families Home offers temporary shelter to the homeless and also helps our families and individuals find housing. As such, we accept many household items.

Leading Families Home gladly accepts your donation of twin beds for our shelter. Please call ahead if you plan to donate a bed, as our storage space is limited.

Yes, we do! If you’re interested in donating fresh veggies, fruit, canned foods, staples, or water, please call us at  419-244-2175 to find out if we have space to accept the items you’d like to donate.

There are several charities and organizations in Toledo that would love your donations of food, including:

Cherry Street’s Life Revitalization Center
1501 Monroe Street Toledo, OH 43604
(former Macomber School)
Weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Sam Guidry at 419-214-3008
(View Cherry Street’s Donation Wish List )

St. Paul’s Community Center
**Accepting canned goods, meat, eggs, dairy, and produce**
230 13th Street
Toledo Ohio 43604
Donations are accepted 24/7 – no need to call ahead
Contact Yolanda Wiggins at yolanda@spcc-toledo.org or 419-255-5520 ext.208
(View St. Paul’s Shelter Needs List)

Leading Families Home does not accept clothing donations. If you have clothing that you would like to donate, consider the following local Toledo-area charity:

Family House
Family House
669 Indiana Avenue
Toledo, OH 43604
(View Family House’s Donation Wish List )

We do not accept car donations at this time.

Yes, we desperately need donations to help fight homelessness throughout our Toledo community, but there are a few items that we politely ask you to refrain from donating to our shelter. This includes items that are broken, expired, used, or pose a risk to our Participants (sharp items, items containing alcohol, etc.)

Ready to help fight homelessness in your community and donate to Leading Families Home? Here’s how to do it:

Leading Families Home is based in Toledo, Ohio. We are dedicated to fighting homelessness in our community – and we’d love your help! Please consider supporting our organization in one of the following ways:

Leading Families Home partners with PayPal for secure online payments. Click Donate Now to be taken to the secure donation page.

To donate by check, please make the check out to Leading Families Home.

Mail your check to the following address:

Leading Families Home
2283 Ashland Ave.
Toledo, OH 43604

Give us a call at 419-244-2175 to donate by phone.

When you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Learn more about AmazonSmile .

Use Kroger Community Rewards

It’s easy to donate with Kroger Community Rewards – just shop at Kroger, and swipe your Plus Card! Join Kroger Community Rewards .

Matching Gifts: Double Your Donation

Every year we have a Match Campaign – an exciting way for you to double your impact. During this campaign, our match partners will match your monetary donation to Leading Families Home. 

Match partners also include corporate sponsors who match their employees’ donations. If you’d like to participate, find out if your employer matches employee donations to 501(c)(3) organizations and contact us .

Host a 3rd Party Fundraiser

Do you love to plan events? You can raise donations for LFH by hosting your own event! Have fun and make an impact on our community. Ask for donations instead of birthday gifts or baby shower presents. 

Remember Us in Your Will

A Planned Gift allows you to donate in a very meaningful way. Contact your financial advisor or estate planner to learn more.

Connect with Leading Families Home on social media to see the latest stories from our Participants, Board Members, Staff, and Volunteers!

You can support Leading Families Home by liking or following our accounts, liking and SHARING them on your social media accounts. Invite your contacts to like or follow us, too! Let’s spread the word, and end homelessness in Toledo!

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