House by the side of the road
House Manager Report
December 12, 2024
1. Client Statistics
We served 421 households in November, 766 adults and 673 children. This is 64 households fewer than we served in October. In November we had 104 new clients. We averaged 23 households a day in November, and 22 households a day in October.
2. Volunteers
We have 50 regular volunteers.
3. Donation Status
Our most pressing current needs are:
Winter coats in all sizes
Small household appliances; microwaves, toasters, coffee pots, blenders, and fans
Blankets/comforters (all sizes)
Bed sheets (all sizes)
Towels and washcloths
Athletic shoes, both men’s and women’s
Pajamas for men, women, and children
Men’s jeans and athletic pants
Underwear (preferable new)
Can openers
Vacuum cleaners
4. Business/Community Contacts
The Dixboro United Methodist Church Women of Faith did a drive for us and donated a bunch of winter coats, hats, and gloves.
The House will receive December 2024 collections from First Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Ann Arbor. Long-time volunteer Lillie Granderson and I made a short presentation during both their services Sunday, December 1st. We met individuals in their social hall after each service.
The A2-ADVANCE team dropped off a bunch of items at the House on December 5th, mainly winter coats, from a donation drive they have each year. We are very grateful they chose us to receive items from their drives.
Reinhart Realtors dropped off over 120 coats in December. We will get more later in December and January.
Women of the Ann Arbor Trinity Lutheran church dropped off a lot of knitted hats and scarves.
The University of Michigan Radiology department had a winter clothing drive collecting coats and other winter gear for us.
5. Community Outreach
Staff from the University of Michigan Office of the Provost volunteered at the House on December 10th and 11th. There were more than thirty who worked with us those days. They hung up winter clothes that had been in storage. The racks in the store area were full again afterwards.
6. Facility Status
On November 27th the landlord had the waterlines in the hallway capped.
7. Safety Issues
None.
8. Incidents
None.
9. Areas that need attention
None.
10. Client Stories
A client’s car was impounded with her children’s car seats still in it. They would not let her keep her car seats. She was very happy when she found two car seats at the House. She will put them in the car she is borrowing from her mother-in-law.
11. Overall Appearance and Organization
The store, sorting, and tagging areas are looking well.
Submitted by Gemaya Griffin, House
2051 S. State Street Ann Arbor MI 48104 US 734-769-4085 housebyroad@gmail.com