As the holidays approach, many of us find ourselves gathering with loved ones around warm meals, festive lights, and meaningful traditions. It’s a time for gratitude, celebration, and comfort. But for too many families in our community, this season is shadowed by worry—worry about keeping the fridge stocked, providing holiday meals, and shielding children from the stress of food insecurity.
If this time of year inspires you to give back, you’re not alone. Many of us feel called to help feed the hungry and support local food banks that serve our neighbors in need.
The holidays are drawing near, and we are focused on celebrating with family and friends. Our days and nights are spent in laughter and gratitude, and with special meals and foods we only eat this time of year. Twinkling lights, shimmering candles, and a table filled with conversation and special treats. If this wonderful time of year moves you to think about the neighbors who are worried about how to put food in the fridge and keep their children from knowing how tough it’s getting, you are not alone. Many of us are inspired to feed the hungry and donate to local food banks.
Make a Difference Through the Mid-Ohio Food Collective
One of the simplest and most effective ways to make an impact is by donating directly to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. As the largest food bank network in Central Ohio, they work with nearly 500 local food banks, food pantries, and community partners to distribute meals across the region.
Through partnerships with food producers, national hunger organizations, and local businesses, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective stretches every dollar to provide nutritious meals where they’re needed most.
Want to Get More Involved? Start a Food Drive
If you’re looking for a more hands-on way to support food banks, consider organizing a local food drive at your workplace, place of worship, school, book club, or gym. It’s easier than you think—and it can make a big impact.
Here’s how to get started:
- Contact your local food bank to ask what items they need most. You might be surprised—it’s not always canned soup! In-demand items often include peanut butter, cereal, canned tuna, pasta, rice, and even non-food essentials like toothpaste and toilet paper.
- Spread the word among your group or organization and set a collection goal.
- Box up your donations and drop them off at your selected food bank when the drive ends.
Giving to local food banks is a meaningful way to share the spirit of the season. Whether through a monetary donation or organizing a food drive, every act of generosity helps ensure that more families in our community can enjoy a holiday meal with dignity and hope.
Writing a check to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective is the simplest way to feed the hungry of Central Ohio and donate to an organization that gets food out to many local food banks. They serve nearly 500 local food banks around the Central Ohio area. They work in partnership with local businesses, national hunger organizations, and food producers to maximize every dollar you donate to feed the hungry.
Want to feed the hungry and donate to local food banks in a more personal way? Start a food drive at your church, office, school, book club, or gym. Contact the local food bank of your choice, and ask what they are most in need of… you may be surprised. It may be cereal, rice, canned tuna, peanut butter, or it may even be toothpaste and toilet paper. Then ask your group to donate. When your drive is over, box up the donations and bring them in to the food bank!
Below is just a sampling of the many local food banks across Central Ohio working hard to feed our hungry neighbors. There are countless others doing important work in our community.
From all of us at The Columbus Team, thank you for being a good neighbor—and for considering how you can support and donate to local food banks and pantries this holiday season.
Neighborhood Services, Inc. or NSI
1950 North Fourth Street, Columbus 43201 (614) 297-0592
St. Stephen’s Community House (Campus Area)
1500 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43219 (614) 294-6347
Open Shelter (Downtown)
61 East Mound Street, Columbus 43215 (614) 222-2885
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