The Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center is one of Cleveland's largest day drop-in centers for people who are homeless or hungry. Free hot meals are open to everyone, no registration needed. The food pantry distributes food bags to registered participants on their individually scheduled pickup days.
If you live in the 44114 or 44115 zip codes and need food urgently, call 211 for an emergency food referral.
Call 211 to receive a one-time emergency food referral, then visit the center to sign up for regular monthly pantry distributions.
Food pantry bag distributions are set up on a monthly schedule. Hot meals are served every weekday and are available daily to anyone who shows up.
The center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Staff and volunteers served over 83,000 hot meals and 27,000 pantry meals in a single year, so the center can get very busy. If you need help with social services or documents, plan to arrive close to opening time and expect a wait.
The food pantry provides food bags for registered participants. Hot meals are served in the dining area every weekday. Breakfast runs from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and lunch from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Reviewers have described the meals as hot and fresh, with breakfasts that have included items like bacon, grits, coffee, and milk.
The Clothing Closet provides new and lightly used clothing for men, women, and children at no cost. Guests can shop for up to three complete outfits. Hygiene products, shoes, and boots are also available when donated items are in stock.
For mothers with infants, baby formula is available through the center's basic needs services.
Hot meals are served walk-in in the dining area, no sign-up needed. Just arrive during breakfast (8:00 to 9:00 a.m.) or lunch (12:00 to 1:30 p.m.) hours Monday through Friday.
Food pantry bag distributions work differently. Once you're registered, you come in on your individually scheduled pickup days to receive your food bag.
The center offers many services beyond food:
Free showers are available to guests Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Guests can also charge their phones at the center.
You can support the Cosgrove Center with a financial gift at the Cosgrove Center donation page or browse the Amazon Wish List to donate specific needed items.
The Clothing Closet accepts donations of new and lightly used clothing, with a special need for practical items like jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, sweaters, boots, and athletic shoes. Drop off donations Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enter through the rear of the building: pull into the first driveway near the fire escape and go through the double doors underneath it.
Volunteers are welcome at the Cosgrove Center. Fill out the online volunteer form at volunteers.ccdocle.org/need/ and the team will reach out to schedule your first day.
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