As we enter the thankful season, it’s essential to recognize the organizations that offer charitable services not just during the holidays, but throughout the whole year.
Do you want to support the soup kitchens, food programs and pantries that help sustain thousands of people in our community and the Greater Cincinnati area? Follow our guide to a few local organizations offering opportunities to give back this season.
Our Daily Bread
Since 1985, Our Daily Bread has served as Cincinnati’s largest soup kitchen, serving 400-500 meals a day. To serve so many, volunteers and donations are always needed.
A three-plus month commitment is requested for on-site soup kitchen volunteering. However, many off-site opportunities are also available.
“We get dozens of frozen turkeys donated around Thanksgiving, but our ovens are busy cooking the daily meals,” Kat Heilman, Our Daily Bread director of communications, tells us. “We have volunteers take frozen turkeys home to cook, prepare and carve, then bring them back for us to heat and serve.”
Freestore Foodbank
The Freestore Foodbank began in 1971 out of founder Frank Gerson’s apartment. They are now one of more than 200 food banks within the Feeding America network.
They have ongoing food distributions at their Liberty Street Market and Bea Taylor Market locations, where daily volunteer options are available. Holiday meal distributions are hosted on-site throughout the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas in November and December.
Joshua’s Place
Joshua's Place serves the Mason, Kings, Lebanon, Little Miami and Deer Park school districts, helping families experiencing poverty overcome the barriers that cause instability.
“Wherever possible, we want to be doing developmental work,” Kevin Peyton, executive director of Joshua’s Place, explains. “We provide thousands of people each month with food resources.”
Their programs regularly offering volunteer opportunities include a food cooperative, CareCloset, Whiz Kids Tutoring, Mason Cares and more. In November they hold their annual fundraising banquet and Neighborhood Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Tips for Supporting Our Daily Bread:
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Organize a drive collecting ingredients for hot beverages like hot chocolate and bulk coffee.
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Make and deliver baked goods to Our Daily Bread to be served.
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Home cook hotel pan-sized dishes that can be heated and served.
“Wherever possible, we want to be doing developmental work,” Kevin Peyton, executive director of Joshua’s Place, explains. “We provide thousands of people each month with food resources.”