Lincoln Heights Outreach Inc. (LHOI)

Who Can Visit?

The LHOI Food Pantry serves individuals and families in the Village of Lincoln Heights and the surrounding communities who are facing food insecurity. LHOI is dedicated to providing nutritious food and essential supplies to those in need within the community.

How Often You Can Visit?

You can shop at the pantry once per week — either on a Thursday or a Saturday.

Good to Know

LHOI is committed to offering a compassionate and dignified experience, allowing individuals and families to choose the food items that best suit their needs and dietary preferences. The pantry creates a welcoming environment where clients can access the resources they need with dignity and respect.

For Thursday drive-thru visits, if you are arriving by car, please line up along Wayne Ave, facing south. If you are walking or arriving by bus, find one of the volunteers and they will assist you.

For Saturday walk-thru visits, the parking lot opens at 9:30 AM. If you arrive earlier, park along Wayne Ave, facing south.

Food & Essentials

The pantry offers a wide range of products, including:

• Fresh produce
• Non-perishable items (such as canned goods, dry pasta, rice, breakfast items, and cooking oils)
• Meat, poultry, and seafood
• Dairy products
• Toiletries

On Thursdays, visitors receive a pre-packed bag that includes shelf-stable goods, produce, and a meat item. On Saturdays, the pantry operates as a choice pantry where shoppers can select their own items.

How to Pick Up

LHOI runs the food pantry on two different schedules:

Every Thursday — 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Drive-thru distribution. Each visitor receives a pre-packed bag of shelf-stable goods, produce, and a meat item. Line up along Wayne Ave, facing south if arriving by car. If walking or taking the bus, a volunteer will come to assist you.

Two Saturdays per month — 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Walk-thru, choice pantry. Shoppers can browse and pick the food items that work best for their household. The parking lot opens at 9:30 AM.

You can check the pantry schedule at the Pantry Calendar.

Additional Support

LHOI offers a wide range of other programs beyond the food pantry, including:

• Clothing Closet — Provides clothing, shoes, and toiletry essentials to men, women, and youth.
• Cafe H.O.P.E. — Serves hot meals in a restaurant-style setting to members of the local community.
• Adult Day Service — A state-of-the-art facility offering daytime care and activities for seniors and adults.
• Youth Enrichment Program — An after-school program for students grades K–5 at Lincoln Heights Elementary School, offering homework help, reading support, and fun educational activities (Monday–Friday, 4–6 PM).
• LHOI Summer Camp — A summer program combining field trips, projects, and structured play in a nurturing environment.
• Rent & Utility Assistance Program — Provides financial help to Hamilton County residents at risk of becoming homeless.
• Workforce Development Academy — Offers employment training and workshops for people seeking jobs, changing careers, or starting a small business.

Facilities

LHOI has a Clothing Closet on site, providing clothing, shoes, and toiletry essentials to men, women, and youth in the community.

Ways to Give

There are several ways to support the LHOI Food Pantry and its programs:

• Donate online — Make a secure, one-time or recurring gift at swipesimple.com/links/lnk_06e0b909.
• Mail a check — Make checks payable to LHOI and mail to: 9913 Wayne Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45215.
• Food donations — The pantry accepts non-perishable items such as canned goods, dry pasta, rice, breakfast items, and cooking oils, as well as fresh produce and meat, poultry, and seafood. To donate food or learn about current needs, contact Tess Balsley at tmbalsley@lhoicincy.net or 513-744-6262.
• In-kind donations — Donations of food, clothing, school supplies, and other essentials are welcome. Contact Tess Balsley at tmbalsley@lhoicincy.net to learn about current needs and drop-off options.
• Gift of stock — Donate appreciated securities for potential tax benefits. Call 513-774-6261 for more information.
• Planned giving — Include LHOI in your will or estate plans.
• Kroger Community Rewards — Enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards Program and designate Lincoln Heights Outreach Inc. as your charity of choice to support LHOI every time you shop.

LHOI is a 501(c)(3) Ohio nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers are welcomed at LHOI in several areas:

• Food Pantry (Saturdays) — Help organize, sort, and distribute food to families in need. Note: Thursday volunteering is currently full. Sign up for Saturday volunteering here.
• Clothing Closet (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) — Sort donations, hang clothes, and keep the closet stocked and ready. Sign up here.
• Youth Enrichment (Monday–Friday, 4–6 PM) — Support students grades K–5 with homework, reading, or fun educational activities. Email lhoied@lhoicincy.net.
• Summer Camp (June–July) — Help with activities and support campers in a fun, educational environment. Email lhoied@lhoicincy.net.
• Cafe HOPE (Quarterly) — Serve meals, set tables, and create a welcoming experience for guests. Email damonwhite@lhoicincy.net.
• Grow Garden (Spring–Fall, Monday–Saturday) — Help plant, maintain, and harvest fruits, vegetables, and flowers in the community garden. Email tmbalsley@lhoicincy.net.

To get started, visit the Get Involved page and contact the email listed for the opportunity you're interested in. You can also reach LHOI by phone at 513-744-6260.