NEEDS relies on donations from many local organizations, including churches, businesses, and schools. Pantry coordinator Maureen shared this note of gratitude to Cincinnati’s International Facility Management Association chapter, whose members gave generously during the holiday season:
“On behalf of all of us at NEEDS, I’d like to thank you — and all the contributing members of the International Facility Management Association — for the generous donation of non-perishable food and personal/household care items that you delivered.
The last months of 2025 have been hard ones for the less fortunate members of our community. The cutoff of SNAP benefits drove even more families to seek emergency food support from our pantry. In fact, the numbers of those seen rose by 50%. SNAP benefits have just recently been reinstated, and our families are also facing an imminent increase in health insurance costs. All of that testifies to how important your support is to NEEDS. We honor and bless your commitment!”
Students at St. Vincent Ferrer School collect food for NEEDS annually — and this year’s drive was a remarkable success! Pantry coordinators Janie and Maureen shared, “Wow! You all outdid yourselves this year! You collected 362 boxes of cereal which is almost double last year. That’s amazing! Your collection will keep us in stock for months on an item that is costly for us to replenish.
We understand that you made it a fun event for the students by creating a cereal box domino display. That’s a creative way to encourage participation while helping the less fortunate in our community. Many thanks to Michele Frost for leading this effort each year. We’d also like to thank the students who helped carry the boxes to our cars and used their creativity to fit it all in. Great job!
“NEEDS is a 100% volunteer and donation-run organization. We rely on contributions from schools, churches, and businesses to operate. The NEEDS volunteers and the families we serve thank you! We look forward to continuing our partnership in the years ahead.”
The SPCA Cincinnati’s Chow Now Pantry program provides much of the pet food NEEDS is able to offer to families seeking our help. Organizers note, “Our goal is to keep people and pets together! Pets give hope and comfort that everyone deserves, especially through challenging times.”
You can help by joining the Stuff the Sleigh project! Now through December 28, donate in person or online to help the Chow Now Pantry and its partners — including NEEDS — care for animals and the people who love them.
The NEEDS pantry coordinators note, “The last months of 2025 have been hard ones for the less fortunate members of our community. The cutoff of SNAP benefits drove even more families to seek emergency food support from our pantry. In fact, the numbers of those seen rose by 50%. SNAP benefits have yet to be fully reinstated, and our families are also facing an imminent increase in health insurance costs.”
You can help by donating some of our most-needed items from the list below!
Home and Personal Care: Toilet paper Paper towels Baby wipes Laundry detergent Deodorant Disposable razors Shaving cream
Donations can be dropped off at Kenwood Baptist Church, either at the drive-through during our open hours (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-1:00), or in the marked boxes at each entrance. Prefer to order online? Click HERE for more options. Thank you!
