Food & Clothing Pantry

We desire to widen our reach from the west side of Columbus so that more families can experience the JOY of God’s love when He meets their most basic needs of food and clothing. Our hope is that through our consistency and compassion, we can begin to cultivate in them new rhythms that lead to wholeness. In order to achieve these aspirations, we are calling upon partners and organizations who are passionate about our mission.

Monetary donations:

Click here to give online.

Checks can be made payable to: Garden City Church, with Food Pantry written on the memo line

Food Donations:

Non perishable food and drink with a best by/expiration date that is no more than 6 months past the current month.

Clothing Shoppe and JOY Donations:

New or gently used items that are clean, without tears or stains. Some examples listed below, but not limited to:

• Clothing and shoes for all ages
• Winter attire: Blankets, gloves, hats, coats
• Toys/Games/Gifts for ages 0-17
• Small household items/decor
• Hygiene products
• Baby Products, diapers, wipes, etc
• Pet supplies
• Large size reusable shopping bags

The Food Pantry was established by Bible Community Church in 1991, with the founder’s love for the community. The pantry started with small food donations from the congregation, and grew from only serving food, to adding a free clothing closet. In 2020, a dedicated volunteer, Darcie McKenzie, said YES to God’s calling for her to step into the new Director role for Garden City Church Food Pantry. She desired to keep the heartbeat of the founder’s vision and mission for the community. The Lord then gave her a vision of Christmas Joy, which blesses families during the holidays with gifts and winter apparel.

There are three aspects of the Garden City Food Pantry, the first being food distribution. Volunteers pre-package groceries that are then distributed to the community twice a month. A majority of our support comes from the Mid Ohio Food Collective, and occasional free gifts. Through this generosity, we meet the tangible needs of the community that brings JOY. In 2024 alone, the Food Pantry utilized over 45,000 pounds of food to give out over 68,000 meals.

The second aspect of the Food Pantry is the Clothing Closet. It is a 100% donation operation, where individuals contribute clean, gently used items and volunteers designate their time to keep it organized. The community is able to come and shop for free, consisting of clothes, shoes and small household items. The clothing closet was dedicated in May of 2023 to the late Miss Donna, a proud Chirstian who took pride in serving her community, now naming it Ms. Dee’z Clothing Shoppe. Donations are welcomed at any time, from anyone to keep her legacy strong. Over 11,000 items from our shoppe have helped the community in 2024.

The last aspect of the Food Pantry is our event Christmas Joy. In 2021, the vision came to the director when seeing used toys that were going to be trashed. God said “use this”. Just six weeks later, we had our first Christmas Joy event! James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Families come for an afternoon of fellowship and pick out gifts for their children, while children can enjoy making Christmas crafts. That first year, the Food Pantry was able to bless 109 children with over 325 gifts, as well as two winter items. And in the years since, the number of families and items given have grown.

The Food Pantry is committed to cultivating the community through joy and compassion as we encounter these families monthly. As families come to receive their basic needs, relationships are being built and prayers are being answered! We are on track to expand in the coming years and to see the blessing of the harvest from the Lord.

Genesis 8:22 says,
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease”

The three phases of receiving what God has provided for us are these principles in order: seed, time, and harvest. The symbolic meaning of harvest in Scripture involves two main areas: God’s provision for us and God’s blessing for others. We experience the spirit of harvest all the time, year-round; plant the seed, be patient in the waiting, and then you will reap a harvest of God’s blessing.

To make an appointment with our Food and Clothing Pantry, please call 614-341-2282 or visit FreshTrak.com.

Walk-ins are accepted.

Once you arrive, please sign in and you will be seen on a first-come first-serve basis.

Please be advised, all registered guests will be seen first, and then walk-ins, even if walk-ins arrive prior to registered guests.

Requirements

• Guests are able to receive goods on a monthly basis
• Guests must reside in Franklin County
• Appointments can be made up to 6 days in advance through 10am on serve days

Location

Garden City Church
3880 Clime Rd
Columbus, OH 43228

Pantry Open to Community

January – October:
3rd & 4th Thursdays
12pm – 3pm

November – December:
1st & 2nd Thursdays
12pm – 3p