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
Community center serving the Near East neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. They can help families navigate resources to get help with food, healthcare, employment and housing. They offer housing/rent assistance, soft skills training, employment assistance, financial education, and parenting workshops for adults. Programs for youth include after-school programs, Summer Challenge Day Camp for Grades K-5, and childcare through partnership with Columbus Early Learning Centers. The Village Central Senior Program provides transportation services, wellness programs, and social events for adults ages 60+. ACE, Academy for Community Entrepreneurs, offers technology and professional development classes. TRANSIT ARTS provides free, year-round cultural arts workshops such as dance crew, music, and fine arts for ages 12-21.
Works with schools, community organizations, and child care providers throughout Ohio to increase participation in USDA child nutrition programs. They provide technical assistance to child care providers to help implement programs serving nutritious food. Contact their office for help finding childcare centers and meal programs; including after-school, weekend, and summer programs that offer free food for kids.
Columbus: 1105 Schrock Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
Cincinnati: 3600 Park 42 Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241
Cleveland: 2800 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Toledo: 1715 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee, Ohio 43537
(614) 341-7700
childrenshungeralliance.org
CML is an award-winning library and amazing resource in the community. With 23 locations throughout Franklin County, they provide a lot more than just books, including lots of free online resources, story times for kids, and community events. Programs include:
(614) 645-2275
All Library Locations: columbuslibrary.org/library-locations
Upcoming Events: events.columbuslibrary.org/events?
Website: columbuslibrary.org
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
Faith-based organization supporting families impacted by poverty and celebrating cultural diversity. They offer free youth and adult programming, including a three generation family English-learning/ESL program for all ages. Youth programs include the Excelerate young entrepreneur program for children K-8, and a free summer lunch camp. Contact the organization for registration details. They also accept youth and adult volunteers.
Upper Arlington Lutheran Church (UALC) at Mill Run
3500 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 586-7939
wearefesta.org
Faith-based organization working to alleviate hunger in the Gahanna-Jefferson school district and 43230 zip code area. Programs include food pantry, summer lunches for kids, holiday assistance, and weekend supplemental food packs for school-aged kids. They also offer baby formula and diapers. Delivery is available for those who qualify. Visit the website for full pantry hours.
Location: 161 Granville Street, Gahanna, Ohio 43230
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 307563, Gahanna, Ohio 43230
(614) 214-4747
grin4gahanna.org
Settlement house located in Franklinton serving zip codes 43222, 43223, and 43215. Programs include senior outreach, 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. Some family and youth services require referral from Franklin County Children Services while parenting classes are open to the public. Contact the organization for details.
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 for programs in Fairfield County. The LSS 211 Information and Referral network can connect you to food pantries and other social services across Franklin County and Ohio.
A resource for students and community members to access free, fresh, and shelf-stable food on a regular basis. Shoppers must be income eligible. There is no limit to how many times per month eligible shoppers can visit the Market. Visit the website for additional information.
400 Grove Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
cscc.edu/services/mid-ohio-market/index.shtml
Provides grocery benefits for low-income families with school-aged children when school is closed for summer. Families receive a one-time $120 benefit for each eligible child, which is uploaded to the household’s existing Ohio Direction Card, or on a new benefit card mailed to the family. The money can be used for meals at grocery stores, farmers markets or other authorized retailers. Families who already participate in SNAP, Ohio Works First, other Medicaid benefits, or receive free/reduced meal benefits at school are automatically enrolled. New families can use the website to apply and track their application status. Participation in the program does not affect families’ immigration status.
General Questions (ODJFS Hotline): (866) 244-0071
Summer EBT Card Questions: (866) 386-3071
Summer Food Resources Flyer
S-EBT Fact Sheet
Video: How to Use Produce Perks
ohiosummerebt.org
Application Website: sebt.ohio.gov
USDA National Meal Site Finder
Nonprofit serving lunches to school-aged children in the summer months, to help those unable to access summer food programs. They deliver fresh, nutritious meals from their food truck in Hilltop, Franklinton, and South End neighborhoods. They also provide hygiene items when available. They make and sell Hunger Hero bracelets, each bracelet sold provides one week of lunches. Contact them through their website for more information.
thelunchboxohio.org
Find free, nutritious breakfasts and lunches for kids during the summer months in your community. Meals are served to kids up to age 18 beginning in May of each year. Families can use the Meal Finder tool to find directions to nearby meal sites, as well as their hours of operation and contact information.
National Hunger Hotline: (866) 348-6479
Español: (877) 842-6273
fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
Faith-based charity supporting income-eligible residents of the Westerville City School district. The Choice Market food pantry allows families to shop online every two weeks for curbside pickup. They deliver food to children on weekends and during school breaks. The Kids Lunch Club offers free summer lunches and enrichment activities for ages 1-18 each May through August. Employment support services include online and in-person courses on job skills, personalized coaching, career exploration sessions, and financial education. They offer resource referrals to help individuals and families access rent and utility assistance, clothing, and more. They also offer spiritual care services and supportive services for seniors. Families must call or visit the office to register for services.
150 Heatherdown Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43081
Main Office: (614) 889-0196
Food Assistance Scheduling: (614) 568-8700
warmwesterville.org