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 in Washtenaw County. 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, recent immigrants, reentering society from prison, migrant workers, experiencing mental health issues, or crisis pregnancies.


House by the Side of the Road

2051 S.State Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

(734) 769-4085

Our Purpose

Even though we have many volunteers, because of a great increase in clients and donations, we need more! We need 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.

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.

We serve Washtenaw County residents only. Clients must be able to provide a picture ID with a current Washtenaw County address. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! Please see the paragraph at the bottom of this page.

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. Please arrive by 1:30 so your shopping is done by 2.​​

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.​

Our Services