House Manager Report 
December 10, 2025


                1. Client Statistics
We served 423 households in November, 748 adults and 669 children. That is 98 households fewer than we served in October. In November we had 102 new clients. We averaged 25 households a day in November and 23 households a day in October. 


2. Volunteers
We have 58 regular volunteers.  

3. Donation Status
Our most pressing current needs are:
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

December 3rd, we stopped all clothing donations (except men’s and children’s winter coats) until January 5th.  We were overwhelmed with clothes but are also having the tile floors polished and need to clear them all during the holiday break.

4. Business/Community Contacts
We are grateful for several groups that helped us this month:

November 11th, we had two students from a pre-health organization on campus, Alpha Epsilon Delta, volunteer. They are undergraduate students preparing for careers in healthcare professions.


November 13th, we had one person from Michigan Medicine volunteer. Michigan Medicine piloted an Executive Leadership Volunteer Program to support local non-profits, give back to community, and understand some of the challenges patients and community members face. 

November 14th, we had four students from the University of Michigan Serotonin Society volunteer. They are a mental health club for pre-health students that focuses on wellbeing through service and giving back to the community. 
December 1st, two members of the University of Michigan Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Beta Eta Chapter, volunteered.

5. Community Outreach
November 25th A2-ADVANCE dropped off items, mainly winter coats, from their annual drive.

Reinhart Realtors dropped off over 150 coats in November and December. They will drop off more in January.

December 9th Patty VanLente, whose son was born on Christmas Eve, made comfort/blessing bags for people in need. She and her family dropped them off at the House. Every year her son, who turned 7 this year, gives back to the community during his birthday month.  Their neighbors help prepare the bags.

Trinity Lutheran Church Ann Arbor donated hand knitted hats and scarves.

Newcomers & Neighbors of Ann Arbor donated new winter items.

November 19th a donor, who asked to remain anonymous, dropped off children’s coats and snowsuits.  He had experiences as a youth he didn’t want anyone else to have.

6. Facility Status
November 21st, we passed our annual Ann Arbor Fire Department inspection.

7. Safety Issues
None.

8. Incidents
None.

9. Areas that need attention
None.

10. Client Stories
In August two South African refugees shopped with us.  They were living in a hotel and looking for work.  The wife returned in November.  Now they live in an apartment. Both have jobs.  They needed winter clothing.

11. Overall Appearance and Organization
The store, sorting, and tagging areas are looking well.

Submitted by Gemaya Griffin, House Manager