Open Table Ministry

Open Table Ministry seeks out and guides people experiencing homelessness and poverty toward long-term health and wholeness by building ongoing trusting relationships, meeting practical and personal needs, making connections to community resources, and bridging critical gaps in the social services system.

OTM is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides stable support to the homeless and unsheltered community in Durham, NC. We bridge a crucial gap in services by offering weekly lunches, emergency shelter, winter gear, and needed medicines; we help our homeless neighbors get crucial medical care and we guide them through the many layers of bureaucracy required in gaining long-term housing. For many of our clients we bridge the gap between homelessness on the streets and a productive life. We enter into friendship with them, sharing weekly meals and creating a supportive community. Services we provide regularly include:

• Emergency housing to the most vulnerable
• A weekly healthy meal to develop and maintain relationships and learn specific needs
• Clothing and other practical items such as winter gear and hygiene products are available at our “Free Store”
• We provide referrals to public housing authority (documented referrals are required) and assistance with the housing process
• We supply documentation of homeless status (required for access to county system resources)
• Our move-in teams help our clients move into their new homes when they obtain permanent housing
• We partner with churches and other organizations to provide furnishings for new homes
• We help obtain lost or stolen identification cards (required for most employment and for access to most long-term homeless shelters)
• We also supply transportation to appointments via bus passes and personal rides