Heart to Heart is open to everyone in need regardless of zip code. There are no geographic restrictions on who can come. It runs first come, first served with no appointments needed. You can walk or bike up if you don't have a car.
Upon check-in, you'll need to sign a form confirming that you qualify for food assistance under the ODJFS TEFAP guidelines. If you can't come in person, you can send someone else in your place by filling out a proxy form and sending it with them.
The head of household must bring a current photo ID. All members of the household must live at the same address.
Households can visit once every 30 days.
Arrive earlier in the morning since the line fills up quickly. Reviewers suggest getting there closer to when the pantry opens for the shortest wait. The pantry tries to stay open during bad weather but will close if Franklin County reaches a Level 2 Snow Emergency, an active tornado warning, or temperatures become unsafe. Closures are posted on their voicemail, website, and Facebook and Instagram pages.
Dry goods are pre-packed to give your household roughly three days' worth of meals. You'll also have the option to choose from fresh produce, refrigerated items, frozen meat, and personal care products, depending on what's available. The pantry works with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective as its main source of produce. Refrigerated foods like yogurt, juice, and desserts are also available. The pantry will do its best to work with special dietary needs, though it can't guarantee specific items will be in stock on any given day.
Heart to Heart is a drive-thru pantry. Pull into the church parking lot through the driveway on First Ave. Volunteers will load your vehicle while you stay in your car. If you prefer, you can also walk or bike up.
The Pop-Up Pantry is a mobile outreach program that delivers groceries directly to residents at several partner sites around Columbus. Deliveries rotate on a monthly schedule to sites serving veterans, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and New American families. The Pop-Up Pantry also occasionally provides toiletries and clothing. See the Pop-Up Pantry schedule for details.
Heart to Heart can also refer you to other programs and resources for financial assistance and other needs. If you don't find what you're looking for, call and leave a detailed voicemail and staff will research the issue and get back to you. You can also email krohrer@fcchurch.com.
Heart to Heart accepts food, money, and material donations. You can give online by credit or debit card, Google Pay, PayPal, or ACH at their donation page. You can also write a check made out to "First Community Church" with a note for Heart to Heart and mail or drop it off at 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, OH 43212. Consider supporting through the First Community Foundation for planned giving at fcchurch.foundation.
For material donations, drop off non-perishable food items, personal care products, and pet food on the blue or red carts in the alley across from the dumpsters, beneath the overhang, near the kitchen doors at First Community South. Items must be unopened and unexpired. For perishable items like fruit or meat, drop them off during designated times or during regular drive-thru hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am to 12 pm. You can also shop the pantry's Amazon Wishlist and have items delivered directly.
Enroll your Kroger Plus Card in Kroger Community Rewards using organization number TB926 to donate a portion of your purchases automatically.
For bulk donations or questions, contact Yohan Kim at ykim@fcchurch.com or (614) 488-0681 x203.
To volunteer, sign up through SignUpGenius and show up at the scheduled time. Volunteers check in at the kitchen of the main church building. Before your first shift, you'll need to complete a Civil Rights training form and email it to hearttoheart@fcchurch.com. All volunteers are also required to complete the Darkness to Light "Stewards of Children" abuse prevention training. Minors in grades 5 through 8 may volunteer if accompanied by a parent or guardian; graduated 8th graders and older must have a signed waiver form.
For questions about volunteering, email hearttoheart@fcchurch.com. To get involved with the Pop-Up Pantry specifically, reach out to Carla Edlefson or Melody Smiley, or sign up at this link.
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