Dublin Food Pantry Outgrows Crammed Space

Over the past 50 years, Dublin Food Pantry has been housed within the walls of Dublin Community Church; however, its limited space is becoming too cramped.

Volunteers aim to operate as a choice pantry where patrons can push carts around and select products similar to those at a grocery store. Their new facility will support this goal.

What We Do

Dublin is not immune from food insecurity; therefore, it has established the Dublin Food Pantry to serve residents of both its city and school district – currently covering zip codes 43016 and 43017 – at all times. As the charitable arm of the Dublin Irish Festival, this pantry receives support through food drives hosted by businesses and organizations, volunteers harvesting at a Giving Garden located at Coffman Park, and donations from nearby churches.

Dinky Pantry has experienced an increase in calls for assistance since the start of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, prompting it to make changes. Instead of permitting customers to push shopping carts and make selections as before, Dinky now supplies families with prepacked boxes of food staples, which they can collect through a drive-thru outside the church on open days.

Dinky understands the needs in her community will continue to outstrip their capacity in an already tight workspace within Dublin Community Church at 81 West Bridge Street. With this knowledge, Dinky and her three staff have signed an agreement on a new facility on Dublin Center Drive while raising funds to complete renovations.

Bounty at Bridge Park

After 50 years of operating within Dublin Community Church and sharing space with preschool and other church programs, Dublin Pantry’s leadership team has launched a $3 Million capital campaign to expand their facility. They have raised over $1 Million thus far and plan to move from their current location at Dublin Community Church into a 7,750-square-foot commercial building at 6608 Dublin Center Drive, which should open its doors within a year.

This new site will give the pantry its space, which will be especially important as it serves more families than ever before. As Dublin’s only walk-in food pantry, they serve eight zip codes in Dublin’s school district and can provide up to three days’ worth of groceries each week for qualified recipients.

Inspired by the energy generated from our capital campaign, local community member and pantry volunteer Barb Anderson added her efforts by organizing her inaugural fundraiser, Bounty at Bridge Park, which will take place on September 17th for an evening full of celebration, connection, and impact!

Experience an extraordinary fine dining experience on Dublin Bridge overlooking Atwood Lake at this unprecedented event featuring fall cuisine and entertainment provided by Buckeye Career Center’s Culinary Arts Program and additional trade students.

Food Drives

After nearly 50 years operating within Dublin Community Church walls, Dublin Center Drive Pantry is set to move into its facility next year. The pantry currently shares space with preschool classes and other programs at the church; its new site on Dublin Center Drive will have more room to meet demand as demand increases.

Dublin Food Pantry accepts donations of food and personal care items as well as monetary donations, which allow it to purchase larger quantities at lower prices than can be provided through individual donations while meeting immediate needs such as diapers and hygiene products for infants and young children.

This 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s board consists of passionate volunteers dedicated to its work who can guide its development. Day-to-day operations at the pantry are overseen by Executive Director Nancy Johnson, who is employed full-time.

DFP volunteers have been part of its workforce for decades. Representing faith communities, businesses, groups, clubs, and schools, they provide publicity services such as publicity collections and distribution of donated food items. One effective strategy to become involved with DFP is integrating food drives into an existing event: this increases attendance while simultaneously building buy-in from event organizers who may contribute towards it themselves.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers assist neighbors during open hours at the main food pantry by helping push carts, reminding customers about available items, and walking around to ensure all patrons receive precisely what they require. Sorting and stocking are also needed tasks.

Bev Ross began volunteering 14 years ago and is one of the reasons the pantry provides quality meats, dairy items, and produce to those in need. She has found the experience both rewarding and surprising.

The pantry will partner with the inaugural Dublin Irish Festival for Bounty at Bridge Park to raise funds and awareness about food insecurity in Dublin. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, and entertainment while supporting our work at the pantry.

Youngsteadt-Parrish notes that many pantry supporters include local business owners, employees, and their families; however, to reach more residents in their city, they aim to have everyone as part of the pantry’s founding team.

Volunteers assist seniors with winterizing tasks for their homes, such as changing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Other volunteers act as “snow angels,” plowing driveways and clearing pathways after storms for neighbors who cannot do it themselves. The city’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) groups can also provide much-needed support to needy locals.