Nearly 190,000 Cuyahoga County residents are expected to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, provide an average of $170 a month to low-income Ohioans. For families who rely on them, this loss can mean choosing between food and other basic needs.
Residents seeking food support have several options across Greater Cleveland.
Food Assistance Resources
This list is subject to change. Call 211 (United Way helpline) or visit 211oh.org for updated food resources and meal programs in Cuyahoga and surrounding counties, or search the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s pantry map or call 216-738-2067 to find a nearby food distribution site.
St. Augustine Hunger Center offers hot meals daily and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Salvation Army Temple Corps Community Center provides hot meals and groceries from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Nourish Food Pantry at South Pointe Hospital, you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, quality meats, and canned goods. It’s open for walk-ins on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and scheduled appointments on weekdays.
Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church distributes produce from 9 to 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Identification is required and guests are asked to bring their own bags.
Greater Heights Church of Christ distributes food from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of each month, though availability is not guaranteed due to high demand.
Food Not Bombs provides food with no ID or financial information required.
Hunger Network is one of the largest food distributors in Greater Cleveland. A part of its network is the Avon Avenue Baptist Church, which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Bethany Baptist Church, open the fourth Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Midtown Market distributes food weekly, from 1 to 3 p.m.
University Settlement offers in-person food distribution Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and operates a mobile produce pantry on the first Monday of each month.
DoorDash has launched an Emergency Food Response offering free delivery for Project DASH food bank and pantry partners and is partnering with grocers to waive delivery and service fees for qualifying SNAP recipients.
This list is subject to change. Call 211 (United Way helpline) or visit 211oh.org for updated food resources and meal programs in Cuyahoga and surrounding counties, or search the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s pantry map or call 216-738-2067 to find a nearby food distribution site.
As the shutdown continues, demand for emergency food assistance is likely to rise. Students should check hours of operation before visiting a site, as services may shift based on need and supply.
