Fall Clothing Drive

Ready to clean out your closet of your unwanted fall and winter items?   We would love to take them off your hands to help our clients and their children.


When:  September 28, 2024 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Where:  1900 Columbus Ave, Portsmouth.  (Come around the corner of our building and enter through the side entrance)


While we can use all sizes of clothing, one of our biggest needs is clothes for our teen boys and girls.  


Please no rips, stains or worn out items.  If you wouldn't wear it, our clients shouldn't have to either.  Two bag maximum per family and please, oh please, only fall and winter clothing and accessories.



Monetary Donations

Thank you for choosing to support the H.E.R Shelter.  While much of our programming is supported through a variety of grants, many innovative projects and simple necessities of life are not. HER Shelter staff works tirelessly in the effort to provide safety, advocacy, leadership, sustainability and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, stalking and homelessness. Thanks to the support of our community we are able to provide the best possible services to the residents who are in our shelters and community programs. The H.E.R Shelter is a registered non-profit agency, so your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  


If you would like to make a credit/debit card donation, please click on the button below. If you would like to donate via check/cash, please make checks out to The H.E.R. Shelter  and send to PO Box 2187 Portsmouth VA 23702.


In-Kind Donations

Thank you for your willingness and desire to donate items to the residents at the H.E.R. Shelter. Our donation program is currently as follows: 


What we can always accept

• The HER Shelter is accepting items all year round that are considered essential for shelter life (listed on the donation request list located on the page below) These items can be delivered by scheduling an appointment with our volunteer coordinator Dominique or by ordering them on our Amazon Wishlist, where they get sent directly to the HER Shelter office
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2ASVJK6RUXED0?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR1OmDrEQYFHoELY_udRjocLsLnL_xsuY77eBLjxnKES4UYJJ-9ZSiUOUcM


Clothing donation program

• Although we are unable to accept clothing on a consistent basis, we plan to hold 4 or more clothing donation drives each year, one at the beginning of Summer, Spring, Winter & Fall to help replenish our closets for the upcoming season. When dates and details for the clothing drives are confirmed, they will be announced via our active email list and Facebook page. To be added to our email list, please click HERE and let us know.


Furniture donation program

When our clients successfully leave the shelter program and begin a new journey in their own place, more often than not they are unable to provide the essential needed items to make a home. The items listed below are appreciated. Delivery is needed as we are unable to offer pickups at this time. Please email Melody@hershelter.com for additional details

- Twin, Full & Queen sized mattresses and box springs

- Kitchen table and chairs

- Couches and other living room furniture

- Microwaves


Facebook Wishlist Wednesdays

• Oftentimes we will have a special, essential request for a resident or child in need such as a car seat, baby formula, air mattress, etc.. We post these requests on Wednesdays as "Wishlist Wednesday" on our Facebook page to inform the community of the need

https://www.facebook.com/HERShelter


For all questions regarding in-kind donations, please email our volunteer coordinator at Melody@hershelter.com to discuss details. Thank you for your support and thoughtfulness for our families at Help and Emergency Response, Inc. (The HER Shelter) You are  appreciated! 

HER Shelter Donation Request List

This list consists of items the HER Shelter is need of currently. Delivery of the donation items listed below can be scheduled by emailing our volunteer coordinator, Dominique



  • Paper products (Toilet paper, paper towels)

  • Microwaveable food items

  • Full sized body lotion and body wash

  • Pull-ups in all sizes
  • Diapers in all sizes
  • Baby wipes, diaper cream etc.
  • Silverware sets

  • Deodorant

  • 13 & 33 gallon trash bags

  • Laundry detergent pods, fabric softener & dryer sheets

  • Full and Twin sized sheets and comforters

  • Full and twin sized air mattresses

  • Pillows

  • Bath towels and face cloths

  • Convenient & Grocery store gift cards (Walmart, Food Lion, Kroger, Target, etc.)


If you are hoping to donate items on our request list and/or have any questions regarding donations, please email Dominique@hershelter.com to discuss details. 


Thank you to all who continue to make a difference in the lives of those at HER! Our residents are grateful for your support, generosity and thoughtfulness.



  • Donate through Amazon

    Amazon is an easy way to support the H.E.R. Shelter.  There are two easy ways to help!

    • You can simply make a purchase from our Amazon Wish List.  Pick what you would like to donate and it will be shipped directly to our shelter to be shared with our clients.  When you see the list, it is some of the basic  needs for our ladies and children.  You can view our wish list here.
    • You can also donate through Amazon Smile.  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchase to to the H.E.R Shelter.  It is the same Amazon we know and love with the same products, same prices and same service.  Start your shopping by logging in through smile.amazon.com.  For your first purchase just search for Help and Emergency Response.  0.5% may not seem like a lot but it adds up over the year.  Check it out here.


Vehicle Donations Now Accepted!

Thanks to our partnership with Vehicles for Charity, we are now able to accept your car, boat or RV as a donation to the HER Shelter.  They can be in ANY condition including non-working! Click here to begin the process! You can also call 1-866-628-CARS.  Just be sure to tell them you are supporting the HER Shelter!


Click here for all of the answers to your questions!!