Food Resources Across Columbus as SNAP Benefits Lapse
The federal government shutdown has placed many families under enormous strain. With interruptions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning Nov. 1, households that were already struggling to afford groceries are now facing even greater hardship.
Across Columbus and throughout Ohio, community partners, food banks, and neighborhood programs are stepping forward so children, seniors, and families can stay nourished during this uncertain time.
Below is a guide to help families locate nearby food assistance and essential meal programs.
Locations Families Can Get Food Assistance in Ohio
1. Children’s Hunger Alliance & Regional Resources
Children’s Hunger Alliance continues serving families statewide even as SNAP benefits lapse. Their team and partner organizations ensure children have the nutrition they need year-round.
Regional Foodbank Support:
a. Central Ohio
- Mid-Ohio Food Collective
- Local Matters
b. Northeast Ohio
- Greater Cleveland Food Bank
- Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
c. Northwest Ohio
- Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank
d. Southeast Ohio
- Athens County Food Pantry
f. Southwest Ohio
- Freestore Foodbank
- The OCR Initiative
- Dayton Foodbank
2. Senior Meal Deliveries — Franklin County
Residents age 60 or older can receive healthy meals delivered to their homes. Meal choices include daily hot meals or weekly frozen meals. Kosher and vegetarian options are also available.
This service operates on a sliding fee scale. Costs vary based on income, and some seniors may qualify without a co-pay.
Additional Office on Aging services:
- Adult Protective Services
- Caregiver Support
- Supported housing options
- Kinship care
- Minor home repair
- Senior Options navigation services
3. Local Matters Food Resource Network
These community-based food sites offer groceries and prepared meals to families across Central Ohio.
Participating sites include:
All People’s Fresh Market
- Bishop Griffin Resource Center
- Broad Street Food Pantry
- Buckeye Food Alliance
- Central College Food Pantry
- Clintonville Resource Center
- CRIS (Community Refugee and Immigration Services)
- Dublin Food Pantry
- Faith Mission
- Feed & Read Ohio
- GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need)
- Heart to Heart
- Hilliard Food Pantry
- Hope Resource Center
- Inprem Holistic Community Resource Center
- Jewish Family Services
- Jordan’s Crossing
- Linden Market
- LSS Champion Ave Pantry
- Motherful
- Muslim Family Services of Ohio
- Neighborhood Services, Inc.
- New Albany Food Pantry
- Promise House
- St. Stephen’s Community House
- Salvation Army of Central Ohio
- Sanctuary Night
- Smoky Row Food Pantry
- Southside Supply Station
- Stowe Mission
- Treats 4 The Streets
- Victory Ministries Center of Hope
- WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry)
- Worthington Resource Pantry
- YMCA Van Buren
- YWCA Family Center
4. SNAP-Associated Pickup Food Locations
Families affected by SNAP interruptions can find food at these sites:
- 4041 Gantz Rd., Grove City, OH 43123
- 620 Norton Rd., Columbus, OH 43228
- 2867 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43209
- 6475 E. Main St. #101, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
- 400 Grove St., Columbus, OH 43215
- 1500 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43219
- 3275 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, OH 43204
- 25821 New Guilford Rd., Bladensburg, OH 43005
5. City of Columbus — Food Pantries & Community Support
West Side
- Hoge Memorial Presbyterian
- Holy Family Church Soup Kitchen
- Lower Lights Church Pantry
- Crossroads UMC Food Pantry
- Glenwood UMC
- Crossroads World Ministries
- Gladden Community House
- Heart to Heart Pantry
- Hilliard Food Pantry
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
North Side
- NNEMAP
- Neighborhood Services, Inc.
- Overcomers Christian Center
- The Dream Center
- Clintonville-Beechwold CRC
- Broadway United Methodist Church
South Side
- Reeb Café (Reeb Ave. Center)
- Stowe Mission
- St. Ladislas Food Pantry
- Holy Rosary/St. John
- South Side Roots Café
- New Horizons Christian Church Pantry
Far East
- Bishop Griffin Resource Center
- LSS Food Pantry – Champion Ave
- First Church of God – Hope Food Pantry
- Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church
- New Birth Christian Ministries
- New Hope Church of God
After-School Snacks
The Columbus Metropolitan Library offers nutritious after-school snacks to children in partnership with Children’s Hunger Alliance. Branches include: Barnett • Driving Park • Linden • Northern Lights • Hilltop • South High • Karl Road • Shepard • Main • Whitehall
6. Columbus Blessing Boxes
Blessing Boxes operate throughout Columbus as 24-hour, take-what-you-need community food lockers. Locations can be viewed online through their map.
Conclusion
While the federal government shutdown has placed many families under new pressure, Columbus continues to show unity and care. The dedication of food banks, community centers, churches, libraries, and volunteers ensures that residents have places to turn for support.
