Food / Nutrition / Breastfeeding

Broad Street United Methodist Church Manna Cafe & Open Shelter

Dinner is served every Wednesday through the Manna Cafe’. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday the Open Shelter provides dinner and other emergency needs. All are welcome. Call for serving times.
501 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 221-4571
www.broadstreetumc.net

Center for Latin Hope (Centro Esperanza Latina)

Their Healthy Latinos program includes nutrition and cooking classes offered by a nutrition educator from the OSU Human Nutrition Department. The program also includes fitness classes, childcare, snacks, monthly family events and activities. All classes are free.
2300 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 358-3584
www.centerforlatinhope.org

Children’s Hunger Alliance

Works with schools, community organizations, faith-based groups and child care providers throughout Ohio to increase participation in USDA child nutrition programs. In addition, they fight hunger and poor nutrition with education, physical activity information and supplemental resources for caregivers, parents and children.
370 South Fifth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(800) 227-6446
www.childrenshungeralliance.org

Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center

Offers up to a 7 day supply of food for anyone in need living in zip codes 43214 or 43202. Individuals should bring a recent piece of mail to prove their residence and to see if they qualify for further assistance.
14 West Lakeview Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43202
(614) 268-3539
http://clintonvillecrc.org

Columbus Recreation & Parks Department

Their summer lunch program provides free lunches throughout Columbus. Kids ages 1 to 18 can call to find the summer food site closest to them. Some people with disabilities age 19 to 21 are also eligible. Kids can stop by the open sites and get a free breakfast or lunch June through August.
1111 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 645-3300
http://parks.columbus.gov

Columbus Public Health (CPH) Breastfeeding Helpline

Call to get help with breastfeeding or breast pumps. Click to see their Breastfeeding Help List. Services include consults at WIC clinic locations or over the phone, and breast pump rentals for those who qualify.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-7417
http://publichealth.columbus.gov

Columbus Public Health Food Protection Program

Licenses and inspects retail food businesses including grocery stores, restaurants, bars, delis, convenience stores, vending machines, food carts, and all food sold at fairs and festivals. Their website has information about inspection reports and food borne illness reporting.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-7417
http://publichealth.columbus.gov

Columbus Public Health Healthy Children, Healthy Weights

Dietitians provide free classes on how to modify children’s menus, daily routines, and environments to improve nutrition and increase physical activity. The program is geared toward parents and child care providers of children from birth to kindergarten. Their website also has information about ways to stay active, healthy drinks for kids and more.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-7520
http://publichealth.columbus.gov

Community Kitchen

Free breakfast and lunch is served Monday through Saturday.  Call for serving times. All are welcome.
640 South Ohio Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-6428
www.communitykitchencolumbus.org

Delaware County

Dublin Food Pantry

Serves residents of Dublin (zip codes 43016 and 43017). Must have a referral from HandsOn or from a Dublin church or social service agency.
81 West Bridge Street, Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 889-6590 or HandsOn 2-1-1
www.dublincommunitychurch.org

Fairfield County

Fairfield County Food Pantries

Click below for a list of food pantries in Fairfield County.
108 West Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
(740) 687-0500
http://fairfieldcounty211.org

Faith Mission

Serves hundreds of meals a day in the soup kitchen, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the year.
315 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-6617
www.faithmissionofohio.org

Food Pantry Network of Licking County

Represents pantries and social service agencies in Licking County who distribute food or provide on-site feeding programs for the needy. Call or go online to find out locations and hours.
823 Steele Avenue, Newark, Ohio 43055
(740) 344-7401
www.foodpantrynetwork.net

Franklin County

Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services (JFS)

Offers several food programs, including the Ohio Direction Card / EBT (formerly known as food stamps). Go online to the Community Portal to access valuable information ranging from food assistance, cash assistance, medical information, job training, child care, and much more.

  • 1055 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203
    (614) 212-1993
  • 1721 Northland Park Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229
    (614) 233-2851
  • 3723 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43207
    (614) 233-2703
  • 314 North Wilson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43204
    (614) 233-2912

www.franklincountyohio.gov

Gladden Community House

Their food pantry is open Monday through Friday to those living in the Franklinton area (43223, 43222 and 43215 zip codes). Residents should bring identification and recent mail as proof of address. A public health nurse and a caseworker from Franklin County Job & Family Services are also available on certain days.
318 South Glenwood Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(614) 228-2498
www.gladden-us.org

HandsOn Central Ohio Foodlink

Foodlink provides callers throughout Ohio with the locations of food pantries and soup kitchens where they can go for a hot meal or a three-day supply of food. Call HandsOn to set up an appointment with a food bank. Their website has an e-guide which lists all of the food pantries.
195 North Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
2-1-1 or (614) 341-2282
www.handsoncentralohio.org

Helpline of Delaware County

Click for a helpful list of resources in Delaware County, including food pantries, meals and free clothing. Call for 24-hour help.
11 North Franklin Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015
2-1-1 or (800) 684-2324
www.helplinedelmor.org

His Place Dinners

St. John’s Episcopal Church serves a Wednesday evening meal, during September through June, to those in need in the Franklinton area. Churches of several denominations from all over the city take turns providing food and services for these meals.
1003 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
(614) 221-9328
www.st-johns-columbus.disohio.org

St. Lawrence Haven

Serves brown bag lunches Monday through Friday. All are welcome.  Call for serving times.
204 South Fifth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-0799
http://vincentianvoice.org

Hospital Breastfeeding Services

These hospitals throughout Columbus offer lactation and breastfeeding services. All offer phone consults and advice, but some also provide breastfeeding classes, pump rentals and support groups.

 

Joint Organization for Inner City Needs (JOIN)

Offers grocery items on a walk-in basis to families and children in need Monday through Friday. Individuals should bring verification of income and identification for all household members.
578 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 241-2530
www.colsdioc.org

Kids Health

Offers nutrition and fitness information for parents on a variety of topics.
10140 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida 32256
(904) 697-4100
http://kidshealth.org

La Leche League

Offers local mother-to-mother support, monthly meetings (online or in-person) and telephone help for mom’s who are learning to breastfeed. Phone numbers and meeting locations for local groups and groups throughout Ohio are listed on the website.
(614) 470-1555
www.lllohio.org

Local Matters

Working with Central Ohio organizations and community partnerships, they provide educational services for children and adults on what healthful food is, where their food comes from, how to grow food and cook food.  They also work with communities in need to help them access healthy and affordable foods.
731 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio  43205
(614) 263-5662
www.local-matters.org

Welcome Warehouse

Located inside Indian Run United Methodist Church, the Welcome Warehouse offers programs to assist Dublin area families who are temporarily in need.  Those programs include:  Adopt-A-Family, Clothing Warehouse, Furniture Match Program, Multi-lingual and Mobile Computer Labs, Back to School Outreach and Emergency Household Assistance.  Call for details.
6305 Brand Road, Dublin, Ohio  43016
(614) 726-6958
http://welcomewarehouse.org

Licking County

Mid-Ohio Foodbank

Delivers food to more than 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and after school programs in central and eastern Ohio.
3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, Ohio 43123
(614) 274-7770
www.midohiofoodbank.org

Motherisk

Families and health care professionals can call the toll-free Motherisk helpline based in Toronto to find out about the risk or safety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, chemicals, x-rays, chronic disease and infections during pregnancy.
555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G1X8
(877) 439-2744
www.motherisk.org

Mother’s Milk Bank of Ohio

Provides human milk to those in need, particularly premature infants and babies who are failing to thrive or have life-threatening conditions. Also, when indicated, milk can be provided for older children.
1132 Hunter Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 544-0810
www.ohiohealth.com

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Healthy Weight & Nutrition

Offers families a comprehensive approach to weight management. Their website has helpful information and resources for families and providers. Go online to learn more about investigational studies, bariatric surgery, the BMI calculator and how to schedule appointments with their staff of dieticians, physicians and recreational therapists.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-6200
www.nationwidechildrens.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Clinical Nutrition & Lactation

The experts in nutrition and lactation care can help patients with diagnosis, treatment and support.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-3080
www.nationwidechildrens.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Happy Healthy Preschoolers

A free program for parents of children ages 1 to 6 to learn about choosing healthy foods for their children and ways to keep them active. One-hour sessions are taught by community volunteers once per week for 6 weeks. Visit their website for a list of program dates and locations throughout Columbus.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-3503
www.nationwidechildrens.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Health E-Hints

Health e-Hints is a free, unique e-newsletter written by pediatric specialists and customized to meet the health and safety needs of your family. When you enter the ages of your own children, you’ll only get the articles that are relevant to your family. The newsletter is completely customized just for you! Click below to sign up.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2000
www.nationwidechildrens.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Health Information Library

Find age appropriate and medically reviewed health articles, breaking news, games, quizzes, health movies and much more for parents, kids and teens.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2000
www.nationwidechildrens.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Homecare

Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Homecare is the only homecare provider in the area operated by the pediatric experts at Children’s Hospital. They can provide breast pumps to children with specialized needs.
255 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(800) 466-2727 or (614) 355-1100
www.nationwidechildrens.org/homecare

Neighborhood Services, Inc. (NSI)

Provides five-day supplies of food once a month for residents of the 43201, 43202 and 43210 zip codes. Services require a photo ID and proof of address for adults and an ID for children living in the home (such as a birth certificate or medical card). The pantry is open Mondays through Thursdays.
1950 North Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 297-0592
www.neighborhoodservicesinc.org

New Life United Methodist Church

Serves breakfast every Sunday morning. Individuals also leave breakfast with a sack lunch for later in the day. They serve a hot dinner on the last Sunday of each month.  Call for serving times.
25 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 294-0134
http://newlifeunitedmethodist.org

Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB)

A one-stop place where Ohioans with a low to moderate income can check eligibility for benefits such as child care help, food programs, home energy assistance, free tax preparation services and children’s health care insurance. Follow the link below to access QuickCheck, an easy online way of finding out if you are eligible for benefits. Once determining eligibility, you can find a Benefit Bank near where you live.
51 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(800) 648-1176
www.ohiobenefits.org

Ohio Department of Education Food & Nutrition

Their food and nutrition resource page has helpful links to websites of state and national associations relating to food and nutrition.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
http://education.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Education School Meal Programs

Their website offers a lot of information about free and reduced price meals and the National School Lunch Program. It also has information about the fresh fruit and vegetable program, the after school snack program, the school breakfast program and the free and reduced price school meals application.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
http://education.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Education Summer Food Service Program

All children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free meals during the summer months at participating program sites. Individuals ages 19 through 21 who have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities and are following Indivualized Education Programs (IEPs) through their current enrollment in educational programs also are eligible for free summer meals. Click to access a map of summer food programs throughout Ohio.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
http://education.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS)

Offers several food programs, including the Ohio Direction Card / EBT (formerly known as food stamps) and the Ohio EBT Farmers’ Market Program.
30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 852-0010 or (614) 466-4815
http://jfs.ohio.gov

Ohio Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) for Pregnant Women

Provides free nutrition and breastfeeding classes in Spanish and English for pregnant women with a low income. The program is available in many counties throughout Ohio.
1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 688-5378
http://fcs.osu.edu/nutrition/efnep

Open Shelter

The food pantry is open to the public Monday through Friday. Call to schedule an appointment or for additional details. Other services include personal hygiene packets and clothing assistance.
61 East Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 222-2885
www.theopenshelter.org

OSU Extension

Click to read about the Family Nutrition Program, which is a free nutrition education program serving adults in Ohio with a low income. The program exists throughout Ohio. Click to locate an office in your area.
2105 South Hamilton Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232
Franklin County: (614) 866-6900
http://extension.osu.edu

OSU College of Food, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Their Ohioline website has a lot of information about general nutrition, breastfeeding, food safety, health and many other topics.
2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-6181
http://ohioline.osu.edu/

Please note:

Many food banks and food pantries require a referral from HandsOn Central Ohio (FoodLink). Please call 2-1-1 for more information.

Project Open Hand

Provides home delivered meals, nutritional counseling, food pantry services and lunches for people living with HIV and AIDS.
1699 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(614) 278-3130
www.lifecarealliance.org

Reynoldsburg Helping Hands

Provides food help for families in the Reynoldsburg School District. Individuals must bring proof of residence, such as a utility bill. Call for details.
7356 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
(614) 868-9394
www2.scholastic.com

Saint Joseph Cathedral

Provides sandwiches twice daily.  Call for serving times.
212 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-1295
www.saintjosephcathedral.org

Salvation Army Food Pantries

Locate the service center serving your neighborhood, and click for a list of zip codes served by each food pantry. Call Hands On Central Ohio for a referral. Hours vary by location.

  • East Main Street Worship and Service Center
    966 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
  • West Mound Worship and Service Center
    2300 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43204
  • Chapel at Worthington Woods
    760 Worthington Woods Boulevard, Worthington, Ohio 43085
  • Citadel Worship and Service Center
    3662 Karl Road, Columbus, Ohio 43224
  • Southside Service Center
    888 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206

Hands On: 2-1-1 or (614) 341-2282
www.usesalvationarmy.org

St. Stephen’s Community House

Their food pantry is open Monday through Friday, in the afternoon. Individuals should bring a photo ID.
1500 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 294-6347
www.saintstephensch.org

United Methodist Free Store

Serves dinner every Friday and breakfast every Saturday. Call ahead for serving times.  Other free food services are offered throughout the week. Services are for anyone in need. They also have a social worker and nurse available once a week.
946 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 443-1713
www.4allpeople.org/freestore.html

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Services

The National School Lunch Program operates in schools and child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. Their website has information about how to apply and income requirements. They also help schools serve meals through their after school snack programs, breakfast programs and summer food programs.
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302
Ohio: (800) 808-MEAL or (800) 808-6325
www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Services

Team Nutrition is an initiative that provides nutrition education to children and their caregivers. Their website has resources for kids and families to eat healthy and stay active.
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302
(703) 305-1624
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Their website has helpful information about food safety, dietary supplements, food ingredients, and nutrition. Click to see federal food safety information, or call their hotline to speak with an expert.
10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993
(888) SAFEFOOD or (888) 723-3366
www.fda.gov

Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM)

Their food pantry serves Westerville School District residents. They provide a six-day supply of food to eligible individuals. When school is not in session, they offer the Kids Lunch Club. Call Hands On Central Ohio for a referral.
175 East Broadway, Westerville Ohio 43081
2-1-1 or (614) 899-0196
www.warmwesterville.org

Women Infants & Children (WIC)

WIC provides formula, foods and breastfeeding support to women throughout Ohio who are pregnant, infants and children less than age 5. They provide vouchers to use at grocery stores. Click to find out the specific income guidelines. Click for a list of WIC locations or call for a location near you. Families can fill out a combined application to apply for WIC, Medicaid (Healthy Start & Healthy Families) and the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps in Spanish or English. Click for the Combined Programs Application.
246 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 644-8006
www.odh.ohio.gov

Worthington Food Pantry & Resource Center (WFPRC)

Distributes food and personal items to people in need in the Worthington School District. They also provide information and referrals. Call for hours.
445 Dublin-Granville Road, Worthington, Ohio 43085
(614) 985-1766
www.worthingtonfoodpantry.org