Serves foster families in Central Ohio by providing infant to teen sized clothing, shoes, coats, backpacks, toys, baby accessories and other essentials, at no cost to families through their Free Store. They also offer Comfy Kits for children entering foster care, Respite events/Parents’ Day Out and support groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive parents. Visit the website for additional contact information.
(614) 398-2203
aliciasclosetcolumbus.org
Provides free clothing, shoes, accessories and toys for families with children ages 0-3 in Columbus, Ohio. Visit the website for additional contact information, store hours, and to register for the free store.
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/mortgage or utilities, senior transportation and social programming, school supply drives, and child loss grief support group.
80 Covenant Way, Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110
(614) 834-4700
cwhumanservices.org
Connects individuals and families in the Groveport Madison school district with community resources and aid. Services include summer lunches, school supply distribution, job referral assistance, and adopt-a-family programs. They also offer emergency cash assistance for housing, utilities, car repair, or medical needs.
PO Box 542, Groveport, Ohio 43125
(614) 586-4017
gmhn.org
Every child deserves a birthday cake. This group of volunteers bakes, buys, and delivers cakes and cupcakes free of charge to Columbus children for their birthday. Go online and complete the form to request a cake for your child, or sign up to volunteer.
columbuscakecelebrations.com
Provides services to help youth experiencing homelessness access public education and remove barriers to attendance. Services include help with school enrollment, transportation coordination, school supplies, and more. Go online for full program and eligibility details.
(614) 365-5140
ccsoh.us/Page/10778
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. The Hilliard location hosts the Grace Medical Clinic where they provide free medical appointments. Winter holiday programs include free meals and meal baskets. Families established with the organization year-round may receive extra support with toys and winter clothing.
Offers free clothing, shoes, diapers, household items, books, toys, hygiene items, diapers, and prepared meals. There are no income requirements, all are welcome regardless of circumstances.
Main Location: 193 East Central Avenue, Delaware, Ohio 43015
Donation Drop-Off: 147 East Winter Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015
(740) 369-3733
commongroundfreestore.org
Faith-based nonprofit aiming to end suburban poverty. They offer free youth and adult programming, including a three generation family ESL program, legal clinic, summer camp for children with free breakfast and lunch, and Good Tiding low-cost Christmas store.
Upper Arlington Lutheran Church (UALC) at Mill Run
3500 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 586-7939
wearefesta.org
Operates during the holiday season to provide free toys for children ages 0-12 in Central Ohio. They work with local agencies throughout Franklin County to sign up families to receive free toys. A listing of these agencies, their locations, registration dates, and contact information can be found on the website.
(614) 633-5259
firefighters4kids.com
Goodwill Stores sell thrift clothing, furniture, art, and more to support their job training programs. Programs include Roads2Work commercial driver training, STNA and medical coding, technology classes, AMP for young adults 18-24 years old, CompTIA IT program, and 1:1 career coaching. They also provide person-centered, employment-focused services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) including Adult Day and Residential services, mental health support, and a Columbus art studio.
671 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43206
Main Office: (614) 294-5181
Career Coaching: (614) 966-9283
goodwillcolumbus.org
A social service agency that supports the Muslim community in Central Ohio by offering assistance, referrals, and material support. They help with basic needs like shelter, utilities, and food for Muslim families in need. They also offer mediation and conflict resolution services, interpretation and paperwork assistance, resettlement support, ESL classes, job skills training, and Janazah (Muslim funeral) services. They host seasonal giving programs for school supplies, and Eid and Ramadan meals.
Location: 4900 Reed Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 14023 Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 470-2848
facebook.com/mfsofohio
A charitable organization that helps match families in need with businesses, volunteers, and organizations for resources like food, volunteering, clothing, supplies and more. Use the website to find a Bridge in your community, request help, or fill others’ requests for help.
All Ohio Locations: neighborhoodbridges.org/state/ohio
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
Serves residents of Columbus who live at or below 200% of the federally designated poverty level. Families can visit NNEMAP once per week to receive food pantry items, as well as hygiene items, baby supplies, and holiday gifts as available. They offer locker pick-up options and home delivery for senior citizens or those who medically qualify. Visit their website for pantry hours or to request a locker. Volunteers are welcome.
677 East Eleventh Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211
(614) 297-0533
nnemappantry.org
Located inside Indian Run United Methodist Church, One Dublin offers programs to families temporarily in need. Families must live in the Dublin City School district to receive services. Programs include Adopt-A-Family/Adopt-A-Senior, a community free shop for clothing and hygiene items, mattresses and household items as available, and school supplies. Emergency household assistance is available for utilities, medical expenses, or transportation assistance. Transportation assistance can be used for car payments, uber cards, or bus passes but not car repairs. Referral is required, and assistance is not provided for car repairs or rent/housing.
Mailing Address: 7032 Hospital Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43016
Call or text: (614) 726-6958
one-dublin.org
Provides a supportive learning environment for Latina girls ages 2-17 and their mothers/guardians with the goal of developing brave girls and strong women. Their programs focus on self-esteem, culture, and healthy development. Programs include providing school supplies, weekly activities for girls and moms, a week-long day camp is for girls ages 11-17, workshops for moms on health and nutrition. Visit the website for contact information and program details.
proyectomariposas.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
A free, anonymous store for students Grades 6-12 in select Columbus City Schools locations. Students can shop for free hygiene products, snacks and food items, clothing, and school supplies. Visit the website to contact the organization, find what schools they currently serve, or to donate/volunteer.
P.O. Box 14136, Columbus, Ohio 43214
studentsuccessstores.org
Provides backpacks and school supplies for disadvantaged children grades K-12 in Central Ohio. They do not provide backpacks/supplies directly to families, but distribute them through partner organizations. Visit the website to donate or find a partner organization.
PO Box 12234, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 558-6577
tomfennessy.org
Faith-based nonprofit providing a food pantry, clothing boutique, cooking classes, and Christmas food and gift help. They can also connect you to employment assistance with their community partners. Healthcare services include eye exams and no-cost glasses to those who qualify, breast and cervical cancer screens to women who are uninsured or underinsured, and mental health counseling with board-licensed counselors at the Hope Counseling Center. Appointments are required for most services, including food pantry and boutique.
3964 East Main Street, Whitehall, Ohio 43213
(614) 252-2500
victorycoh.org
Provides supportive services for veterans, families, and individuals. Shop their thrift stores to support their programs and find low-cost clothing and home goods. Services vary based on location and include employment, housing, and wrap-around services for veterans; clinical treatment programs for ex-offenders, emergency housing for men in Columbus, and mental health treatment. They host Operation Backpack to help provide school supplies for families each fall. The monthly Auto Auction is an opportunity to purchase a donated vehicle to benefit their social service programs.
Auto Auction Website: voaohioautoauction.org
Main Website: voaohin.org/central-ohio