Columbus OH
Print This Page

Free Meals

Andrews House

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

Broad Street United Methodist Church (UMC) Outreach

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/ministries/#belove

Canal Winchester Human Services

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

Columbus Dream Center

A faith-based organization that serves the underserved and homeless in Central Ohio. They serve hot breakfasts and dinners at their Short North location. The afterschool program for elementary school students includes a meal, homework help, tutoring, Bible study, and fun activities at multiple locations. They also host Saturday programs for children kindergarten through 5th grade, and Bible study small groups for middle schoolers. Their Hilliard location hosts the Grace Medical Clinic where they provide free medical appointments.

  • Short North Location: 38 West Greenwood Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
    (614) 547-3138
  • Medical Clinic: 4390 Reynolds Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
    (740) 816-6955
    graceclinicweb.org/hilliard

columbusdreamcenter.org

Columbus Public Health (CPH) Resource Lists

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
(614) 645-7417
Columbus Public Health Neighborhood Social Work Helpline: (614) 645-6807
https://new.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health

Columbus Recreation & Parks Department Free Meal Program (Go Lunch!)

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
columbus.gov/recreationandparks/programs/Free-Meal-Programs
Community Center Locations & Contact Information: columbusrecparks.com/facilities/communitycenters

Community Development for All People (CD4AP) & All People’s Fresh Market

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.

4allpeople.org

Community Kitchen

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

Fairfield County Food Pantries

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

First English Lutheran Church

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

Food Pantry Network of Licking County

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

FreshTrak

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

Gladden Community House

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.

  • Main Office: 183 Hawkes Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223
    (614) 227-1600
  • Food Pantry: 318 South Glenwood Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223
    (614) 228-2498

gladdenhouse.org

Jordan’s Crossing Resource Center

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

Lower Lights Ministries (LLM)

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.

lowerlights.org/home

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) 211 Central Ohio

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.

lssnetworkofhope.org

MASH (Military & Service Heroes) Pantry

Provides food, clothing, toiletries and hygiene items, emotional support and other resources to veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, military families and survivors.

  • MASH Pantry of Grove City
    2996 Columbus Street, Grove City, Ohio 43123
  • MASH Pantry of Delaware County
    222 East William Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015
  • MASH Pantry of Chillicothe
    Forest E. Everhart Memorial Golf Course
    17273 State Route 104, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
  • Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base: For military personnel on base only
    8302 S. Perimeter Road, Building 863, Columbus, Ohio 43217
  • Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC): For military personnel on base only
    3990 East Broad Street, Whitehall, Ohio 43213

Headquarters Address: 648 Clymer Road, Suite 113, Marysville, Ohio 43040
(614) 522-1555
mashpantry.org

Mid-Ohio Food Collective

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.

  • Kitchen at Reeb Center: Provides fresh, house-made meals Monday-Friday 11am-2pm.
    2867 East Livingston Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43209
    (614) 230-2708
  • Markets: Free food markets with a full grocery shopping experience. Markets also connect guests with wraparound care services like healthcare, housing help, and job training. Find store locations at the link.
  • Farmacy: Partners with local healthcare providers to provide fresh food to patients once a week in Franklin, Knox, Licking, Ross, and Pickaway counties. Find program details and locations at the link.
  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Provides eligible seniors with a monthly box of shelf-stable food items. Find eligibility requirements and application instructions at the link.

3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, Ohio 43123
(614) 274-3663
mofc.org

Neighborhood Services (NSI)

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

Project Open Hand Columbus (POHC)

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

Salvation Army

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.

  • Administrative Office
    966 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
    (614) 253-6811 or (800) 725-2769
  • Housing Service Locations
    Franklin County: 966 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
    Delaware & Union Counties: 3769 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio 43015
    Morrow County: 644 West Marion Street, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338
    Homeless Hotline: (614) 274-7000
  • Youth Learning Centers
    Linden: 3662 Karl Road, Columbus, Ohio 43224
    Hilltop: 2300 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43204
    (614) 437-2159
  • Food Pantries: Call to schedule an appointment
    Franklin County: (614) 341-2282
    Delaware County: (740) 369-5301
    Union County: (740) 363-9487
    Senior Food Boxes: (614) 437-2134
  • Human Trafficking Services:
    24/7 Hotline: (888) 373-7888
    (614) 358-2614
  • Addiction Rehabilitation Center: Serves men struggling with addiction
    (614) 221-4269
  • Emergency Utility Assistance:
    Use the link to find a caseworker in your zip code for assistance.
    easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southwest-ohio/central-ohio/caseworker-zip-code-list/

easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southwest-ohio/central-ohio/home

Seven Baskets Community Development Corporation

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

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Church serving the Franklinton community. Their 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. They also host weekly Recovery Café and AA meetings, where all who seek to achieve or maintain sobriety are welcome. Check the online Event Calendar or call for details.
1003 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
Main Office: (614) 221-9328
AA Meetings: (614) 571-2079
st-johns-columbus.org

St. Stephen’s Community House

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

Stowe Mission of Central Ohio

A faith-based, non-profit organization that provides various services including a food pantry, 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


Print This Page