by Ben Dickison, Back Page Editor
DESPITE THE BACK PAGE USUALLY CONTAINING SATIRE ARTICLES, THIS ARTICLE IS NOT SATIRE AND IS MEANT TO BE INFORMATIONAL.
They say laughter is the best medicine. I think there is a lot of truth to this. To me, laughter is the sound of love and none of the problems we have are caused by love.
Sometimes, life gives us a reminder that we’re called to laugh even when things seem almost hopeless. There is always hope, though. We were not created to be immune to hardship, but we are created in a way that allows us to rely on each other to deal with things that just flat out suck.
Below, I have put together a list of resources for you and for you to share with the people we laugh with when they are having a hard time when it comes to material things.
I have a challenge for myself along with you: next time you see a person on the side of the road asking for help, try to view them as a friend to share conversation and laughter with instead of “hungry,” “jobless,” “depressed” or “homeless” first. A person can never just be defined by one trait. We all have souls, capable of loving and overflowing us with joy and laughter.
Hopefully these resources can help us both ourselves and help each other as life unfolds. Let’s be All For One this belated “All 4/1 Day.”
Food Access
| Name | Address | Hours | Phone |
| Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen | 1730 Race StreetCincinnati, OH | Dining Room open 8:30-11:30 AM Monday-Friday Take Out 8:30-11:45 AMMonday-Friday | (513) 621-6364 |
| Queen City Kitchen | 2386 Kemper LaneCincinnati, OH 45206 | Tue, Wed, Thurs Hot Meals12:30-2 PM SaturdayBrunch 12-1 PMDinner 4-5 PM Sunday Dinner2-3 PM Choice Food PantryTues/ThursNoon-1:30 PM | (513) 961-1983 |
| Over the Rhine Soup Kitchen | 1620 Vine StCincinnati, OH 45202 | Saturday and SundayNoon-1 PM | (513) 241-5121 |
| St. Vincent de Paul Choice Food Pantry | 1146 Bank StreetCincinnati, OH 45214 | Monday thru Friday8 AM-4 PM Saturday 8AM-Noon | (513) 421-0602 |
| La Soupe | 915 E McMillan Street45207 | FridayNoon-3 | (513) 271-0100 |
| St. Francis Seraph Ministries | 1615 Republic StreetCincinnati, OH 45202 (St. Anthony Center) | Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-5:30 PM | (513) 549-0502 |
| Bridge the Gap Ministry | 514 W 3rd StreetCincinnati, OH 45202 | Monday AND Thursday 6 PM-7PM | N/A |
| St. Leo Food Pantry | 1860 Carll StCincinnati, OH | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-3:30 PM | (513) 921-1044 HAS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS,Check website saint-leo.org/foodpanrty |
| St. George Interfaith Food Pantry | 2554 Dennis StCincinnati, OH45219 | Every Monday AND Tuesday 6 PM-7:30PM Last Friday of the Month Noon- 1:30 PM Last Saturday 10AM- 11:30 AM | (513) 751-8771 |
| Rescue Temple Community Center | 725 Whittier StCincinnati, OH 45229 | Wednesday AND Friday 1:30-3:30 PM | (513) 221-6246 |
| Sem Food Pantry | 2020 Beechmont AveCincinnati, OH 45230 | Monday-Friday 10AM- 2PM Tuesday evenings 5:30-7 PM Saturday Mornings 10 AM- 2 PM | (513) 231-1412 |
| Union Baptist Church Food Pop-Up | 405 W 7th Street Cincinnati, OH 45203 | 4th Thursday of the month Noon-1 PM | (513) 381-3858 |
| Freestore Foodbank | Bea Taylor Market 3401 Rosenthal Way Cincinnati, OH 45204 Pop-ups Locally | Tuesday 11AM-7PM Wednesday 11 AM-7PM Thursday 11AM-7PM Friday 11 AM-5PM Saturday 10 AM-3PM | (513) 241-1064 |
| Mercy Neighborhood Ministries | 1602 Madison Rd Cincinnati, OH 45206 | Mondays-Wednesdays 9-11:30 AM Senior Food Pantry Days Third Tuesdays of each month, pantry is open to 60+ year olds | (513) 487-6181 Transportation avaliable |
| St. Andrew’s Episcopal Food Pop-Up | 1809 Rutland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45207 | Mondays and Tuesdays 1PM-2PM | (513) 531-4337 |
Shelter
| Name | Address | Hours | Phone |
| Shelterhouse Men’s Center | 411 Gest StCincinnati, OH 45203 | 8 AM-5 PM | (513) 721-0643 |
| Shelterhouse Women’s Center | 2499 Reading RoadCincinnati, OH 45202 | 8 AM- 5 PM | (513) 562-1980 |
| Bethany House Services | 4769 Reading RoadCincinnati, OH 45237 | 9 AM- 5 PM | (513) 381-SAFE |
| Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky | 436 W 13th StCovington, KY 41011 | Open 24 hours | (859) 291-4555 |
| Mary Magdalen House | 1629 Republic StreetCincinnati, OH 45202 | 8:30 AM- Noon 1 PM- 4 PM | (513) 721-4811 |
| City Gospel Mission | 1805 Dalton AveCincinnati, OH 45214 | 8:30 AM-4:30 PM | (513) 241-5525 |
| Joseph House | 3304 Colerain AvenueCincinnati, OH 45225 | 6 AM- 10:30 PM | (513) 241-2965 |
| Tender Mercies | 27 W 12th StreetCincinnati,OH 45202 | Open 24 hours | (513) 721-8666 |
| REST Price Hill | 4105 Glenway Ave Cincinnati, OH, United States | Open 24 hours | (513) 801-0573 |
Medicine at Free/Reduced Cost
| Name | Location | Hours | Phone # |
| St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy | Neyer Outreach Center 1146 Bank Street Cincinnati, OH 45214 Western Hills 3015 Glenhills Way Cincinnati, OH 45238 Milford 813 Main St, Ste A Milford, OH 45150 | Neyer Outreach Center Monday, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9 AM-4PM Wednesday 10 AM- 4 PM Saturday 9 AM- Noon Western Hills Tues AND Fri 9 AM-4 PM Wednesday 10 AM- 4PM Saturday 1PM-4PM Milford Monday AND Thursday 9AM-4PM | Neyer Outreach Center (513) 421-0602 Western Hills (513) 347-0402 Milford (513) 248-2664 |
| Good Samaritan Free Health Center | 3727 Lawrence AveCincinnati, OH 45205 | Monday-Friday 9 AM-4PM Saturday 9 AM – 11:30 AM | (513) 246-6888 |
| Faith Community Pharmacy | 601 Washington Ave, Suite 100 Newport, KY 41071 | Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9 AM-3:30 PM | (859) 426-7837 |
| UC Student Run Free Clinic | 1335 Century Way Springdale, OH 45246 | Saturday 9 AM-11 AM | (513) 394-7479 |
| Life Forward | 1335 Century Way Springdale, OH 45246 2415 Auburn Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 11020 S Lebanon Road Loveland, OH 45140 2415 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219 2415 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 4521 | Century WayWednesday-Thursday 9 AM- 4:30 PM Auburn Ave Monday-Thursday 9 AM-4:30 PM S Lebanon Road Monday-Tuesday 9 AM- 4:30 PM | (513) 961-7777 |
Suicide/Crisis Helpline: Call 988
ACLU Ohio’s Guide to Protecting Rights In Encounters With Immigration Enforcement: https://www.acluohio.org/en/campaigns/immigrants-rights
Intimate Partner Violence Support: Call 800-799-7233