East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church

FAMILY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES

25:35 Crew Resource for Helping Those with Food Insecurity

Named for Matthew 25:35, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat … I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” the 25:35 Crew exists to live out Christ’s compassion in real and practical ways across our East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church.

The 25:35 Crew is guided by the core principles of: dignity first; consistency matters; small acts make big impacts; and sharing what works. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation. Each time we gather to learn from and support one another we strengthen our ministry to better serve our community with love, dignity, and purpose.

Highlighted below by district is information about food and pantry assistance ministries provided by local EOC congregations and faith communities. Please use and share this resource in your ministry setting. If your church or ministry information needs to be updated on this resource, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, Connectional Ministries office administrative assistant, or call her at (330) 499-3972, ext. 102.

Central Valley District
Provider	Services	Address	Contact
Christ UMC Alliance	groceries/pantry personal hygiene items	470 E Broadway St. Alliance, OH 44601	Cindy and Andy M. (330) 823-7136

Bread ministry, provides day old bread, proteins such as peanut butter, canned tuna, etc., and donated canned goods. Facial tissues, shampoo, soap, and other hygiene necessities are periodically available.


Cortland UMC	groceries/pantry meals	155 N High St. Cortland, OH 44410	Cindy B. (330) 637-2571

Our pantry is open to anyone and sits outside. We only close it during the coldest months so things don't freeze. We do God Provides A Meal on the 3rd Saturday of every month by donation, but not required.


Creston Canaan UMC	meals warming/cooling shelter	166 S Main St. Creston, OH 44217	Kimmy F. (419) 903-0099

Community Meals 2nd & 4th Thursday. Church is open 12:00-1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, offering bagged lunch, heat/cool, wifi, fellowship. Blessing Box open 24/7 filled with boxed/canned grab-and-go food items.


Crystal Park UMC	groceries/pantry personal hygiene items clothing	2219 Mahoning Rd. NE Canton, OH 44705	Paul W. (330) 417-8404

Food giveaway (called Faith Kitchen) the last Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Clothing giveaway every 2nd Saturday of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


Doylestown UMC	groceries/pantry rent/utilities	153 Church St. Doylestown, OH 44230	Maureen M. (330) 658-2224

Food distribution is the fourth Saturday of each month, must be a resident of Doylestown or Chippewa township.


Thrive 10:10	personal hygiene items	22 N Market St. Girard, OH 44420	Meghan D. (330) 367-7117

Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin by World and Financial Literacy classes three times per year; boundaries classes; Bridges Out Of Poverty training; limited supply of pet food, meal, hygiene supplies, diapers once a month at Ruth's Boutique (first Saturday of every month 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.); mental health classes.


Trinity UMC Burbank		120 South St. Burbank, OH 44214	Kimmy F. (440) 724-0062

Blessing Box outside open 24/7 filled with grab-and-go boxed, canned, and fresh foods.


Trinity UMC New Springfield	groceries/pantry	2427 Columbiana Rd. New Springfield, OH 44443	Bonnie and Lenny B. (330) 549-2670

Distribution takes place on the 4th Saturday of every month from 8:30-10:00 a.m. Must self verify that you meet Ohio income requirements for assistance.


Union Avenue UMC	rent/utilities	1843 S Union Ave. Alliance, OH 44601	Becky W. (330) 823-9270

Contact church for details.


Wooster UMC	meals	243 N Market St. Wooster, OH 44691	Pat M. (330) 262-5641

Meals Together: A hot meal served every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. year round (no meal on Thanksgiving; a holiday meal is served the week prior). No qualifications.

Northern Waters District
Provider	Services	Address	Contact
Andover First UMC	groceries/pantry meals	181 S Main St. Andover, OH 44003	Wendy O. (440) 293-6290

Food Pantry: 2nd Friday of month from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for Pymatuning Valley School District residents. Cleveland Food Bank: 4th Friday of month (Nov/Dec change due to holiday) from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. for Ashtabula County residents. Both are held in the back parking lot. Free Dinner Friday: last Friday of month at 5:30 p.m. for local residents, held in our Fellowship Hall. We also house the Andover Salvation Army unit for Andover & Williamsfield residents - help with water & electric disconnects, rental assistance, etc.


Celebration UMC	groceries/pantry clothing	771 E 260th St. Euclid, OH 44132	Vikki W. (216) 509-7285

Drive-thru pantry open second and fourth Thursdays and third Saturdays of each month.


Christ Woodland UMC	groceries/pantry	444 N Hawkins Ave. Akron, OH 44313	Deborah N. (330) 573-1767

Our pantry is open Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. There are no qualifications for visitors to come and they may come weekly.


First UMC Cuyahoga Falls	groceries/pantry baby items personal hygiene items	245 Portage Trl. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221	Jennifer L. (330) 472-2357

We distribute on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Clients must be at or below are certain income level.


Hope UMC	groceries/pantry meals clothing rent/utilities assistance	79 Center Rd. Bedford, OH 44146	Andrew S. (913) 961-0590

Pantry: 1st Monday 11:30 a.m., 3rd Wednesday 4:30 p.m., 4th Friday 9:30 a.m. Meals: Every Wednesday 4:30 p.m. Clothing: upon request, monthly distribution at St. Malachai's downtown. Assistance with rent/utilities: upon conversation with Pastor. Other: Sewing repair and aid, 4th Wednesday 4:30 p.m.


Jefferson UMC	groceries/pantry meals personal hygiene items	125 E Jefferson St. Jefferson, OH 44047	Annette S. (440) 479-8252

Our food pantry, Susanna's Cupboard, is filled daily, including Sundays and all holidays. It is located on the sidewalk in front of our main doors to the sanctuary. The church also supports MANNA Project. Christian Cafe is a free community meal on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 4:00-6:00 p.m. There are no guidelines or requirements.


Lakewood UMC	meals	15700 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107	Church Office (216) 229-8644

Community Meals on the Second Saturday and Fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Takeout and drive-thru available.


Lockwood UMC	groceries/pantry	3680 Manchester Rd. Coventry Twp., OH 44319	James E. (330) 591-7627

Food assistance on the second and fourth Wednesday mornings at our building according to the rules and guidelines of the Akron Food Bank organization.


Northampton UMC	groceries/pantry personal hygiene items	852 W Bath Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223	Church Office (330) 929-0015

The Blessings Box contains items that can be picked up for free by anyone in need – toiletries, food/pantry items, household cleaning supplies, pet food items, paper goods, etc. The self-serve box is located on the right-hand side of the church property as you pull into the parking lot.


OPEN M	groceries/pantry meals baby items personal hygiene items	941 Princeton St. Akron, OH 44311	Julie C. (330) 434-0110

Food Pantry: Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., see service area on our website. Meals: last two weeks monthly 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. any served. Food distribution: 3rd Friday monthly 9:00-11:00 a.m. any household served. Free Medical and Dental Clinic: need to be uninsured - form on website. Employment Services: anyone needing help call (330) 434-0110 ext. 429.


Pepper Pike Garfield Memorial UMC	groceries/pantry	3650 Lander Rd. Pepper Pike, OH 44124	Mary Jo G. (216) 403-9750

Food pantry is open the 2nd & 4th week of each month on Monday & Tuesday, 9:00-11:00 am. No qualifications.


Ravenna UMC	groceries/pantry meals personal hygiene items clothing	263 S Prospect St. Ravenna, OH 44266	Karol L. (330) 297-7196

Weekly meals are served year round on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. All welcome - we ask for no names, no income info needed, no age or residency requirements. Food & Hygiene Pantry is the 4th Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Income guidelines set by the Akron-Canton Foodbank and must register with your name. No age or residency requirements. Clothing items are available during both of the above programs. Blessings Box is located outside the front door of the church - available to guests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Strongsville UMC	rent/utilities assistance	13500 Royalton Rd. Strongsville, OH 44136	Mandy S. (440) 238-6135

As our Family Needs Fund allows, we can help with rent when there is an eviction notice and utilities if there is a shut off notice. We also give out $40 Giant Eagle gift cards so that people can use them for gas and/or food. There are eligibility requirements and help can only be given once per month for gift cards and once every 6 months for rent and utilities. For further assistance, we refer people to LoveINC of Cuyahoga County.


Tallmadge UMC	clothing furniture/home goods	207 N Munroe Rd. Tallmadge, OH 44278	Sue S. (330) 633-3734

"People's Closet" 1st Saturday each month 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. open to anyone in need. We provide clothes, furniture, school supplies, etc.

South Forest District
Provider	Services	Address	Contact
Canal Lewisville UMC		198 E Church St. Coshocton, OH 43812	Michelle D. (740) 502-4468

Produce market 1st Wednesday each month.


Conesville UMC	groceries/pantry	196 State St. Conesville, OH 43811	Polly M. (614) 772-3314

We offer a bag of groceries per family (two bags if they have five or more in their household) once a month on the 3rd Thursday of each month. We ask for name, address, and number in household.


Faith UMC Cambridge	groceries/pantry meals personal hygiene items	500 S 7th St. Cambridge, OH 43725	Kim M. (740) 584-1402

Food distribution takes place the 2nd and 4th Thursday 9:00-10:30 a.m.; Give away hygiene items as needed; Breakfast 4th Saturday from 8:00-9:00 a.m.; government income requirements.


First UMC Cambridge	groceries/pantry meals personal hygiene items	641 Steubenville Ave. Cambridge, OH 43725	Regina Y. (740) 432-7669

Groceries/pantry: we have a Blessing Box which is filled daily by church members. Personal hygiene items: there is a separate compartment in our Blessing Box for these items. Meals: we serve a Community Meal (free of charge on the 4th Wednesday of each month). This meal is prepared by church members. Other: the church donates $2,000 annually to the Salvation Army to help provide hams and turkeys in December. The church donates $6,000 annually to the Salvation Army to assist community members who are in need of assistance with utility bills, rent, etc.


Grace UMC Coshocton	groceries/pantry meals baby items personal hygiene items clothing overnight emergency shelter	422 Walnut St. Coshocton, OH 43812	Deb Q. (330) 234-6009

Free community meals every Thursday. Emergency shelter and food through Grace UMC and Blue Sky Voice and Opportunity (operates inside Grace).

West Plains District
Provider	Services	Address	Contact
Ashland Access	groceries/pantry meals personal hygiene items furniture/home goods overnight emergency shelter	228 Maple St. Ashland, OH 44805	Sunny M. (419) 903-0099

Must be Ashland County residents, serving women and families and single fathers with custody of children, meals through cooking classes and an open pantry if needed, all bedding household and supplies given and provided during 90-day stay. They are allowed to take them with them when they leave. All units are furnished and items replaced at shelter expense.


Lighthouse UMC	groceries/pantry clothing	3015 Meister Rd. Lorain, OH 44053	Deborah H. (440) 213-3062

Groceries/pantry: monthly 4th Thurday of the month from 1:00-2:30 p.m. for residents of Lorain, Sheffield Lake, and Vermilion. Will do emergency food when called. There is an income qualification. Clothing: monthly the 3rd Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Anyone is welcome, clothing is $.50 a bag and a meal is available.


Marengo UMC	groceries/pantry personal hygiene items clothing	8 N Main St. Marengo, OH 43334	Peggy D. (937) 241-2266

Food pantry and clothes closet is open most Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Closed on 5th Saturdays and Saturdays around major holidays (announced when closed).


Medina UMC	groceries/pantry personal hygiene items	4747 Foote Rd. Medina, OH 44256	Deanne D. (330) 725-4943

Food pantry is open on Mondays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and Fridays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. I.D. is required for proof of Medina County residency.


Mt. Vernon Gay St. UMC	meals baby items personal hygiene items	18 N Gay St. Mt. Vernon, OH 43050	Jassmine B. (740) 392-6626

Meals on Friday at 5:30 p.m., no qualifications. Diapers and taxable items on 3rd Friday from 5:00-6:15 p.m. SNAP card preferred, but no one turned away.


Saint Paul UMC Galion	groceries/pantry meals	746 Cherry St. Galion, OH 44833	Mary C. (740) 396-2522

Food pantry Third Saturday of each month from 9:00-11:00 a.m. - must be a Crawford County resident. Community meal last Wednesday of each month from 5:00-6:00 p.m., open to all.