The purpose of House by the Side of the Road is to provide clothing and small household items at no charge to children and adults. These services are free to clients with limited funds for clothing, bedding, and other household essentials. People come in after family breakup, job loss, fire, or prolonged illness. We also serve those who are homeless, those who are reentering society from prison, people with mental health issues, recent immigrants, and migrant workers.


House by the Side of the Road

2051 S.State Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

(734) 769-4085

We have rooms of bedding, books & media, clothing (including coats, hats, and gloves) for adults, children, and toddlers, household items, shoes, and toys. All are available free, without qualification.

There are limits to how many items may be taken at once. Call (734)769-4085 for more information. Leave a detailed message (including a call back number) if we are unavailable to take your call.

Starting October 1st we are serving Washtenaw County residents only. Clients must be able to provide a picture ID with a current Washtenaw County address.

Our Hours

WE ARE OPEN for clients Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. No referral or appointment is necessary. Individuals may return every three months.

​DONATIONS may be made at the loading dock behind our building, 9 am to 1:30 pm, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, or 10 am to 1:30 pm Thursday and Friday, any day we are open.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT CLOTHING donations until October 1st. We will accept household items, linens, towels, and shoes.




Our Services

Our Purpose

We need more volunteers!

Because of an increase in clients and donations we are looking for volunteers who can come at a regular day and time each week to receive, sort, tag, and hang up clothes, sort, or place household items on shelves for selection, or check clients in and out.