Columbus Food Banks & Volunteer Opportunities

Food Pantries in Columbus, OH

📍 Total Life Ministries at 2260 E 5th Ave

Phone: (614) 327-5396

Service Description: Offers prepacked food box

Eligibility: Anyone

Hours: second & fourth Sat. of the month, 2-4 p.m.

Intake Process: Walk-in Documents: ID

📍 All People's Fresh Food Market at 946 Parsons Ave  

Phone: (614) 445-7342

Service Description: Free fresh food - Produce, dairy, healthy breads, and more

Eligibility: based on income eligibility.

Hours: Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Food is usually gone within 15-30 minutes.)

Intake Process: Walk-in and drive thru pick up

Documents: ID & proof of income

📍 Brice United Methodist Church at 3160 Brice Rd 

Phone: (614) 866-3025

Service Description: Offers four days food supply and free breakfast. One visit per month. For emergency food supplies (diapers, hygiene items), please phone ahead.

Eligibility: Must be in these zip codes: 43068, 43147, 43110, 43109, 43125 and 43207

Hours: Saturdays, 9 -11:30 a.m.

Intake Process: Walk-in or drive thru (curbside service)

Documents: Need adult IDs, proof of current address and health care card, Social Security card or birth certificate for each child.

📍 Broad Street Presbyterian Church at 760 E Broad St 

Phone: (614) 461-4557

Public transportation accessible

Service Description: Offers a choice food pantry. Limited supplies of diapers may be available.

Eligibility: Households living in zip codes 43203, 43205, 43209, 43213 and 43215 are eligible to receive food assistance once every 30 days. Other Franklin County residents are eligible to receive a temporary assistance package (no meat or milk) once. There are also free farm markets offered for all Franklin County residents in the summer. (Visit website for specific dates.)

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:30–10:30 a.m

Intake Process: Drive-thru (wait for volunteer to come to your car) and pick up. Or walk-thru (wait in garden for volunteer to come to you). First come, first served.

Documents: Photo ID. Proof of address. ID for all household members. (Medical cards, FCJFS print out.)

📍 Bishop Griffin Food Pantry at 2867 E Livingston Ave

Phone: (614) 338-8220

Service Description: Food pantry, community store and diaper program

Eligibility: Serves zip codes: 43209, 43219, 43227, 43213, 43232

Hours: Wed., 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Fri., noon-4 p.m.

Intake process: May vary due to protocols

Documents: Individuals will need to provide proof of residence & ID verifying service area zip code.

Volunteer Opportunities in Columbus, OH

🤝 Columbus Gives Back  

"Columbus Gives Back makes "Columbus Gives Back makes volunteering fun, easy, and memorable! We have a variety of events to choose from so that you can find something that interests you and fits your schedule. Our Event Leaders create a welcoming and engaging experience for volunteers. After some events, we'll go out for a social twist-- grabbing food or drinks to get to know each other and keep the fun going!

🤝 Mid Ohio Food Collective

"When you volunteer with us, you help feed families while building a stronger community. Every hour you give helps us get fresh food to people who need it. Whether you’re sorting food at Mid-Ohio Foodbank, helping at Mid-Ohio Farm, or greeting shoppers at a Mid-Ohio Market, you’re part of ending hunger in our community." 

🤝 Local Matters

 "Local Matters’ and Columbus Food Rescue’s network of volunteers help advance our missions every single day, whether it be through a garden clean-up or a food rescue. Volunteering helps create positive community impact, allows you to share your passions with others, and builds your own knowledge and skill set. *NOTE: Local Matters requires all new volunteers to complete an orientation prior to their shift." 

🤝 The City of Columbus

"Let’s Keep Columbus Fed, Together. Our city thrives when we look out for one another. With many families facing tighter budgets due to federal SNAP cuts, we’re joining forces to make sure everyone has access to food and essential items. Whether you’re a resident, a volunteer, or a City employee, your contribution makes a real difference."

🤝 Columbus Dream Center

Columbus Dream Center is a Christian ministry affiliated with Rock City Church. "Find a need and meet it. Find a hurt and heal it. This is who we are. Every program at the Dream Center offers basic resources, meals, community and support, all free of charge."

Other Resources in Columbus, OH

📚 findhelp.org  

 "Findhelp can connect you with local food pantries and meal programs. You can also find resources for housing, financial assistance, health care, and more."

📚 The Columbus Foundation

"The Gifts of Kindness Fund provides grants to help lift up individuals and families who experience an unexpected setback." 

📚 Catholic Diocese of Columbus's J.O.I.N. Organization

 "J.O.I.N. provides material needs for low-income families in Franklin County, and emergency assistance to families throughout the Diocese of Columbus. It is operated under the Office of Catholic Charities of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Material need assistance includes prescriptions, personal care and household items, diapers, birth certificates, and utilities." 

📚 Community Shelter Board

"Working relentlessly with our community until everyone has a place to call home. We maximize effective and efficient use of resources to achieve the best possible collective impact for Franklin County and the Central Ohio region. With the support of a compassionate community, our system of care served 15,000 people last year with homelessness prevention, shelter, street outreach, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing."

📚 Columbus Metropolitan Library's Social Services

"We provide social services assistance to the community in partnership with other organizations."