FAQ

Q: I know someone who is homeless, how can I help him/her?

A: Please tell the person to call the Grassroots Crisis Hotline at 410-531-6677. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are calling about a housing issue, are seeking shelter or temporary housing, please contact the coordinated homeless system on the Grassroots hotline.  They will listen to the situation and provide additional information and resources.  Their phone number is 410-531-6677.

Volunteering

Q: How old do you have to be to volunteer at Grassroots?

A:  You must be 15 years of age to work in the shelter.  However, projects such as collecting needed items are available for younger volunteers.  Please see our complete Volunteer Opportunities list.

Q: Do you take students who need community service hours?

A:  Yes, most high school students that volunteer here are working towards completion of their community service hours.

Q: Do you take volunteers with court ordered community service?

A:  This would be on an individual basis. Volunteer Coordinator would make determination based on how much supervision they need, the offense committed, etc.

Donations

Q: How can I make a financial donation?
A: Simply click here to go to our donations page to contribute online through a secure credit card form or PayPal.

Q: What kind of donated items do you need?

A: Grassroots has a wish list of items that we need every day. Donations can be dropped off at our main location at 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A, Columbia, MD 21045.

Q: Do you take donations of used toys and children’s books?

A: No, unfortunately we do not have the storage space to take donations of used children’s items. We work with several thrift shops in the area to obtain such items when we need them.

Q: Do you take donations of used clothing?

A: No, unfortunately we do not have the storage space to take donations of used clothing.

Q: Do you know where I can donate my used clothes so that they will go to people who need them?

A: There are a number of local organizations who accept donations of used clothing.  Please contact the individual organization for specific donation requirements.

Success in Style/Charity’s Closet

8600 Foundry Street, New Weave Building

Savage, MD 20763

301-498-5035

http://www.successinstyle.org

*Accepts donations of clean, like-new professional women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. Please call or visit their web site for more information.

Grace Community Church

8200 Old Columbia Road

Fulton, MD 21759

240-553-1090

Grace Community Church Clothes Closet 

* Operates a “Clothes Pantry” for those in need. Please call or visit their web site for drop-off and labeling requirements.

Laurel Thrift Store

9880 Washington Blvd N
Laurel, MD 20723
301-953-0090

* Accepts donations of clothing and other items. Please call for hours of operation.

Day Resource Center, a Grassroots program
at the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center 

10390 Guilford Road
Suite A (first floor)
Jessup, MD 20794

301-776-9900

web site: http://www.daycenter.org/

e-mail: daycenter@verizon.net

* Accepts donations of men’s and women’s jeans (need lots of men’s), t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, sweaters, thermal underwear, heavy shoes, hats, gloves, tennis shoes, socks, underwear.   Open 3 days a week.

Mondays 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Wednesdays  2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Salvation Army Family Store

10350 Guilford Avenue

Savage, MD 20763

301-776-4888

* Accepts donations of outdoor clothing men and women, jeans, t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, shoes, hats, gloves, socks, new men’s underwear (boxers or briefs).  Current Day Center needs are updated on the web site at http://www.daycenter.org/donations.html.

Q: What kind of food donations do you take?

A:  Grassroots accepts donations of whole prepared meals for 50 people, prepared bag lunches, canned goods, and some perishable foods. Please see our wish list and meal info or call the shelter office at 410-531-6006 if you have questions about specific items.

Q: Will you accept food that is left over from an event or party?

A: We will accept left over food from an event as long as it has not been left unrefrigerated for longer than two hours.

Crisis Intervention Services

Q: What is a crisis?

A:  A crisis is unique to every individual. Generally, a crisis is a situation where there is a traumatic or stressful change in a person’s life that may leave him or her feeling overwhelmed and in need of assistance. Crisis counseling provides education, guidance and support.  If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call our Grassroots Crisis Hotline at 410-531-6677. We are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Q: Do you need to be from Howard County to call?

A: No, we accept calls from anyone, anywhere.

Q: Do you really offer FREE short-term walk-in crisis counseling?

A:  Yes, we offer free walk-in crisis counseling. However, there may be short wait depending on availability of counselors.

Q: Are you just a suicide hotline?

A:  No, we answer calls on a variety of topics including suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, loneliness or depression, and chemical dependency issues, among others.

Q: Do I have to give my name when I call?

A: No, callers may remain anonymous.

Facilities

Q: Where are you located?

A: Grassroots is located at 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A in Columbia, Maryland in Howard County. Our crisis center is near the intersection of Routes 108 and 29.

Q: What kind of lawn work do you do?

A: Yes, we get this question posed to us every once in a while. Despite what our name may imply, Grassroots is not involved in landscaping, lawn mowing, or yard work.