This community service center provides various free programs for residents of Delaware County. Programs include free takeaway dinners, a legal clinic, a mobile food market, and free summer lunch program for children under 18. Find program details online.
39 West Winter Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015
(740) 369-4520
andrewshouse.org
Provides free, hot meals on Wednesday evenings. Call their office for more information.
501 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 221-4571
broadstreetumc.net
Provides a variety of social service programs to residents in Canal Winchester, those living in the Bloom Carroll School District, Lithopolis, and underserved rural areas of Fairfield County. Programs include a community food pantry, emergency assistance for rent/mortage or utilities, senior transportation and social programming, and child loss grief support group.
80 Covenant Way, Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110
(614) 834-4700
cwhumanservices.org
A faith-based organization for underserved individuals and families in Central Ohio. They serve hot breakfasts and dinners at their Short North location. The free afterschool program for elementary students includes a meal, homework help, tutoring, Bible study, and fun activities at multiple locations. They also host Saturday programs for children grades K-5, and Bible study small groups for middle and high schoolers. Their Hilliard location hosts the Grace Medical Clinic where they provide free medical appointments.
These neighborhood resource lists are extremely helpful in finding resources near you. They provide detailed listings of free and low cost health care, vision care, dental care, prescription help, food pantries, transportation, job help, transportation, pregnancy resources and much more. They are updated frequently and reviewed by the Columbus Public Health social work team. Please note that CPH does not provide direct monetary assistance, but these lists are helpful in finding community agencies that do provide this assistance.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Questions About Health & Community Resources: (614) 645-1244
Columbus Public Health Neighborhood Social Work Helpline: (614) 645-6807
columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health/Find-Health-Care-Resources/Health-Resources-List
Provides free breakfast and lunch throughout Columbus from June to August. Youth ages 1 to 18 and youth with disabilities age 19 to 21 are eligible. Families in need can call 866-3-HUNGRY (Español: 877-8-HAMBRE) or text 914-342-7744 with a question that contains a keyword such as “food,” “summer,” “meals,” etc. and receive a text back that will show free meal sites closest to them. Some Community Recreation Centers serve free afterschool meals for children up through high school seniors, and provide free food boxes for seniors during the rest of the year. Go online or call to find center locations and program details.
Go Lunch: (614) 645-3642
columbusrecparks.com/wellness/food
Community Center Locations & Contact Information: columbusrecparks.com/facilities/communitycenters
This faith-based organization hosts daily Fresh Markets with free produce for families, nutrition education, a Free Store with clothing and household items, after school program at Lincoln Park Elementary, free health and wellness classes, and community events.
Faith-based, non-profit soup kitchen offering free meals, personal care packages, and community events. Call for details.
640 South Ohio Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-6428
communitykitchencolumbus.org
facebook.com/communitykitchencolumbus
Click below for a list of free meals and food pantries in Fairfield County.
108 West Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
(740) 687-0500
Crisis Line: (740) 687-8255
fairfieldcounty211.org
Offers faith-based community outreach programs. All are welcome for a free community breakfast on Sunday mornings and for Thursday night dinner and fellowship. They also host a free monthly bike shop. Call or go online for details.
1015 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-3191
felccolumbus.com/community
Non-profit network of food pantries across Licking County. Call or use the link below to find produce, hot meals, and pantries in Newark and Licking County.
1035 Brice Street, Newark, Ohio 43055
(740) 344-7401
www.foodpantrynetwork.net/get-food
Are you looking for food near you? Use FreshTrak by typing in your zip code to find food pantries, soup kitchens, food distribution sites and meal programs near you. FreshTrak partners with local food banks (Mid-Ohio Foodbank) to help people find food resources locally.
freshtrak.com
Settlement house located in Franklinton serving zip codes 43222, 43223, and 43215. Programs include parenting classes, senior outreach, a preschool, youth programming and sports, rent and utility assistance, medical appointments with The Breathing Association, and the Gladden Food Pantry. The food pantry provides home delivery for seniors and disabled residents, and diapers.
Faith-based organization providing free hygiene products for students and families. Families can visit the God’s Hygiene Help Center once a month for hygiene items, cleaning products, diapers, and menstrual products. Photo ID is required, one order per address. They provide hygiene boxes to schools in the Linden area of Columbus, Ohio. Go online to complete a request form for your family or school. They also host a monthly prayer gathering and meal.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 20081 Columbus, Ohio 43220
Help Center: 1402 Oakland Park Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43224
(614) 601-8122
godshygiene.org
Serves those struggling with homelessness and substance use on the west side of Columbus. Services include daily meals and narcan distribution, clothing, documentation/ID assistance, laundry and shower services, cooling and heating stations, and more.
342 North Hague Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 507-3246
jordanscrossingcolumbus.org
facebook.com/jordanscrossingcolumbus
A faith-based organization serving individuals and families in Columbus. They offer transitional housing for previously incarcerated women, low-income families and individuals, and women struggling with substance use. Their adult mentorship program includes a weekly hot meal, job and finance mentoring, life coaching, and supportive services. They offer homework help, mentoring, and a summer day camp for at-risk youth ages 7-17. The Lower Lights Salon hosts free haircut events, and work training for women who have experienced addiction or incarceration.
Faith-based organization providing a wide range of services across Ohio. Services include Faith Mission homeless shelter, food, health care, affordable senior living and domestic violence help. Visit the website for detailed program information and to find an office near you. The United Way/LSS 211 Information and Referral network can connect you to other social services across Franklin County.
Provides food, clothing, toiletries and hygiene items, emotional support and other resources to veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, military families and survivors.
Headquarters Address: 648 Clymer Road, Suite 113, Marysville, Ohio 43040
(614) 522-1555
mashpantry.org
Delivers food to more than 500 food banks/pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and after school programs in central and eastern Ohio. Their website has information for individuals and families on finding food assistance in Central Ohio, and program eligibility requirements.
3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, Ohio 43123
(614) 274-3663
mofc.org
Food pantry open to all Franklin County zip codes. They also host programs for holiday meals, free tax preparation with American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), back to school backpacks, Christmas toys, and community events. Find program details online.
1950 North Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 297-0592
neighborhoodservicesinc.org
Dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in central Ohio and their families. Provides daily hot, takeaway meals at Carrie’s Cafe, one-on-one nutrition counseling, home-delivered meals, and emergency meal assistance.
670 Harmon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223
(614) 437-2854
lifecarealliance.org/programs/project-openhand
Faith-based organization providing free, new and gently used clothing (including coats, socks, and shoes). No children are allowed in the store, and photo ID is required. No zip code limits. The organization also provides a free, monthly community meal. Visit the website for additional contact information.
2650 Columbus Street, Grove City, Ohio 43123
Text only: (614) 313-4666
purpledoorchurch.com/make-a-difference/free-store
Survivor-created organization helping women caught in human trafficking, addiction, and homelessness. Each Sunday, their volunteers provide hygiene bags, meals, and clothing to women on Sullivant Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. Go online to contact the organization, donate money or supplies, or sign up to volunteer.
PO Box 23402, Columbus, Ohio 43222
theshiningstarz.org
Serves: Single Adults & Families
Offers various faith-based services for Central Ohio families. Housing Services include finding housing, financial assistance, and case management. They also offer programs for youth after-school programming and tutoring, food assistance, emergency utility assistance, support for human trafficking survivors, and addiction recovery. Their thrift stores offer items at bargain prices to fund programs. You can find thrift store, church locations, and program details on their website.
easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southwest-ohio/central-ohio/home
Faith-based, nonprofit organization that partners with Columbus City Schools to provide homework help, after-school programs, and summer day camps for elementary students at Leawood, Lindbergh, Scottwood, and Shady Lane. They also host a middle school group at their community house, and provide families with donated clothing and school supplies. Call for program details.
Community House: 1635 South Hamilton Road, Columbus, Ohio 43227
Mailing Address: Seven Baskets Community Development PO Box 65, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 406-2548
seven-baskets.org
Church serving the Franklinton community. The Street Church program gathers in the parking lot of PNC Bank at the corner of Broad Street and Central Ave at 1PM for every Sunday for a prayer service and free meal. Jericho’s Light Club is a series of free meals inside the church each Friday and Saturday evening, and they host Sacred Table Dinners at various locations in the community twice a month. Recovery Café is a free sobriety support group, where all who seek to achieve or maintain sobriety are welcome. Check the online Event Calendar or call for details.
Faith-based community center serving the Linden-area community. Programs include rental and utility assistance, childcare for children 6 weeks to 5 years at Christ Child Early Learning Center, afterschool and summer programs, Kinship Aftercare, Family to Family empowerment program for families with open cases with FCCS, senior food and transportation, and more. They are also a Mid-Ohio Market site, providing a food pantry with Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Find program details online.
1500 East Seventeenth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 294-6347
saintstephensch.org
A faith-based, non-profit organization that provides various services including a food pantry (appointment required), free hot lunches, dental clinic, and vision clinic. Their after school program includes academic, spiritual, and emotional support for K-6 students. Transportation is provided from five local schools, but kids from any school district are welcome. They also offer scholarships for graduating seniors at South High School to pursue college or vocational training. The Stowe Pregnancy Resource Center offers free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, and consultation.
888 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 445-8400
stowemission.org
Stowe Pregnancy Resource Center:
(614) 620-7286
stoweprc.org