Freestore Foodbank Customer Connection Center & Liberty Street Market

Who Can Visit?

The Freestore Foodbank Customer Connection Center & Liberty Street Market is open to everyone. The pantry is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Items Needed for Registration

To receive food and services, bring an ID, a Social Security card, proof of address, and proof of income.

How Often You Can Visit?

You can visit once a month to pick up food.

Good to Know

Volunteers will help load your groceries into your car when you leave. The process is generally quick — many visitors are in and out in just a few minutes. You leave with your dignity intact and staff are kind and welcoming. There is no parking area available on site for recipients, so plan ahead for how you will get there.

Food & Essentials

When you shop at the Liberty Street Market, you can expect fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and dairy items like milk. The pantry also offers canned goods such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, and canned protein, as well as dry goods, grains, and shelf-stable milk. At the end of your visit, you receive a package of meat. You are allowed up to 35 lbs of food (not counting produce, which does not count toward the weight limit). Produce starts the shopping experience and does not count toward your total. During special times like the holidays, visitors have also received items like a turkey and extra non-perishable boxes. For seniors aged 60 and older, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (Senior Box) is available at this location and includes items such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned protein, grains, powdered milk, juice, cereal, cheese, and peanut butter — though items change monthly.

How to Pick Up

Liberty Street Market is a client-choice pantry — you shop as though you were at a grocery store and pick your own food items. You start with produce, which does not count toward the weight limit. Then you fill your paper bags with other items such as canned goods, dry goods, and shelf-stable items, up to 35 lbs total. At the end, your bags are weighed and you receive a package of meat. You exit through the back, where additional items are sometimes available to take. Volunteers will help load your groceries into your car.

Additional Support

The Customer Connection Center offers a wide range of services beyond food, including:

• Benefits Enrollment — Help with SNAP and Medicaid applications. Staff submit thousands of SNAP applications each year.
• Birth Certificates & IDs — Help obtaining birth certificates, ID vouchers, and Social Security cards.
• Back On Track — A clothing program that helps people get work-appropriate clothing and work boots for new jobs. You need to provide something from your employer stating that you have a job that requires the items.
• Stabilization Program — A case management program that helps individuals find work, find housing, and access health and mental health services, legal help, and life skills support. Individuals can be referred by a Customer Connection Center worker or another partner agency.
• Representative Payee Program — Assistance with managing your budget and finances, including working with landlords and Social Security Administration representatives.
• Transportation Assistance — Help getting to where you need to go.
• Rent and Utility Assistance — Financial help for rent and utilities.
• Background Checks — Help obtaining police background checks.
• Freestore Direct — Food delivery for those who do not have transportation (in partnership with a community partner).

Call 513-241-1064 for more details on available services.

Ways to Give

Freestore Foodbank welcomes donations to help support the community. Every $1 donated helps provide up to three meals, and 94% of donations go directly to programs and services.

You can give in the following ways:

• Online: freestorefoodbank.org
• By phone: 513-482-3663
• By text: Text GIVE to (833) 709-0969
• By mail: Freestore Foodbank, PO Box 692216, Cincinnati, Ohio 45269-2216 (make checks payable to Freestore Foodbank)
• Food donations can be dropped off directly — no hassle, no waiting.

You can also host a Virtual Food Drive, donate stock, give through your IRA, set up a recurring monthly gift, or organize a hygiene drive. For questions about donations, contact donorsupport@freestorefoodbank.org or call 513-482-3663.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers are a vital part of the Freestore Foodbank team. At the Liberty Street Market (Customer Connection Center), volunteers help stock shelves, sort food, and provide customer service to people as they shop.

Volunteer shifts at Liberty Street Market are Monday through Friday — morning shifts from 7:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. and afternoon shifts from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each shift is limited to 10 volunteers.

All volunteers must register online before their visit. To create a volunteer account or schedule a shift, visit the volunteer scheduling page or contact the volunteer team:

• Phone: 513-482-7550
• Email: volunteer@freestorefoodbank.org

Volunteers at the Customer Connection Center must be at least 16 years of age. All volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and minors must print and have a parent or guardian sign a consent form before volunteering.

The Freestore Foodbank also accepts volunteers who need to complete community service hours for a social service agency or court diversion program. Email trollins@freestorefoodbank.org to ask about community service opportunities.