If your family could just use a little extra support right now, you’re not alone. We’ve gathered a list of local resources for food, diapers, and family essentials. Please share with anyone who might need it. Our community is stronger when we look out for one another.
Note: This guide is intended to be timely, but availability, hours, restrictions, and application deadlines may change. We recommend visiting each website or calling ahead to confirm details before accessing services.
Food Pantries/Food Banks & Hot Meals:
Local food pantries and resource centers provide free or low-cost groceries and essential items to families in need.
Catholic Charities Food Pantry List:
The food pantry program by Catholic Charities helps ensure healthy food gets to those who need it. Please refer to the information here for specific pantry hours.
Cleveland.com Food :
Check out this list of food centers and pantries across Cleveland put together by Cleveland.com.
Community Resource Directories (Bright Beginnings):
Browse by topic (e.g., “food banks”) and location here.
Findhelp.org:
Search for free or reduced-cost resources here such as food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
Food Pantries in Cuyahoga County:Find a complete list here or:
Greater Cleveland Food Bank: Contact their Help Center here, visit the Community Resource Center, or locate food resources near you.
Salvation Army:
Search for food pantries (and other support services) on their website.
United Way 2-1-1:
Call 2-1-1 anytime to find food pantries, shelters, and other help. You can also chat online at 211oh.org.
Ohio Association of Foodbanks:
Helpful statewide information can be found here.
Diapers, Wipes, Baby Essentials:
These programs help families access essential baby items like diapers, wipes, and formula to support the health and well-being of young children.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland:
“Basic Needs” Program: Offers assistance with baby formula, diapers, and other essential items. Learn more here.
Family Needs Store at Beech Brook Family Center:
Offers free basic needs products such as diapers, baby formula, baby bottles, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and children’s clothing (ages 0–12). At the Carl B. Stokes Social Services Mall – 6001 Woodland Avenue, Cleveland, OH. To make an appointment, contact Debra Brown at 216.391.4069 and learn more here.
Findhelp.org:
After entering your area code here, search goods > diapers and formula.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank:
Their Community Resource Center partners with The Diaper Bank of Greater Cleveland and other agencies to distribute diapers and basic goods. Learn more here.
Parenting with Care Program:
Provides diapers, wipes, pack ‘n plays, and other baby essentials. Fridays only from Noon to 4pm; appointment required. Inside the Malachi Center (2416 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, OH 44113) - For more information, call 216.414.1326 and learn more here.
The Diaper Bank of Greater Cleveland:
Distributes free diapers to families in need throughout the county. Learn more here.
United Way 2-1-1:
Call 2-1-1 anytime to find food pantries, shelters, and other help. You can also chat online at 211oh.org.
Menstrual/Period & Hygiene Products:
Access to menstrual products is a vital part of maintaining health and dignity. These local programs provide free or low-cost period supplies to help ensure no one goes without essential care items.
City of Cleveland Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Centers:
Free feminine hygiene products are available at participating City Hall and Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center locations. View locations here.
Cleveland Public Library – Menstrual Equity Initiative:
The Menstrual Equity Initiative offers complimentary menstrual hygiene products at all library locations. Learn more here.
EmpoWHER Vending Machine:
Find free feminine hygiene and safer sex supplies at The Centers East Integrated Health & Wellness Center (Nancy Lyon Porter Building, 4400 Euclid Ave, Cleveland).
Food Pantries and Basic Needs Banks:
Many local food pantries also carry hygiene and period supplies, though availability may vary. When calling, ask specifically, “Do you have tampons or sanitary pads available today?”
Loving on the Community Program:
Hygiene kits are available for men and women on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm - 4:00pm inside the Malachi Center (2416 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, OH 44113). For more information, call 216.414.1326 and learn more here.
Pride Among Daughters & Sisters (PADS):
This program provides sanitary pads and feminine hygiene products to those in the Greater Cleveland area, as supplies allow. Request a kit here.
Holiday Giving Programs:
During the holiday season, these programs and community groups help families access gifts, toys, and essential items at no cost.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland:
Catholic Charities offers free holiday meals for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas to individuals and families in need. All are welcome to join in person or request a home-delivered meal. This year’s in-person Thanksgiving meal will take place on November 27, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the St. Augustine Hunger Center, 1400 Howard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113. Requests for home-delivered Thanksgiving meals will open in early November. Learn more here.
Christmas Assistance (Salvation Army – Angel Tree):
Children’s toy giveaways are available through saangeltree.org. Sign-ups for 2025 are open through 11/7/2025. Questions? Call 216.692.1388.
Marine Corps Reserve – Toys for Tots:
Toy requests for 2025 are now closed, but you can bookmark this page to prepare for next year.
Facebook Buy Nothing Groups:
Neighborhood and “buy nothing” groups on Facebook frequently post free items for pickup. While not a formal program, these groups are a great community resource. Use at your discretion.
Operation Santa:
This program through the USPS connects children’s letters to Santa with generous volunteers, helping make holiday wishes come true while supplies last. Santa is now accepting letters through December 6, 2025. Learn more here.
What did we miss? Email us at hsakai@brightbeginningskids.org and we’ll add your resource to our list.
About the Author:
Heather Sakai has been a member of the Bright Beginnings team since early 2022, serving as the Social Media Engagement Coordinator. She holds a Master of Science in Social Service Administration and a Master of Arts in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University. Heather brings experience in social work and mood disorders research, marketing and social media, as well as dance instruction for children and adults in both the United States and abroad. Passionate about connecting people through social media, Heather strives to make it a safe space to ask questions, be vulnerable, and share successes and struggles. She is also the administrator of Cuyahoga Parents Connect and warmly invites you to join if you are a parent or caregiver of a child from birth to kindergarten, or if you are expecting a child.