Catholic Charities Readies 12,000 Free Thanksgiving Meals for Cleveland's Families in Need

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, is preparing to deliver 12,000 free Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families across Northeast Ohio, a vital annual tradition organized through its St. Augustine Hunger Center. Meals will be available for pick-up and on-site dining at the center in Tremont and through home deliveries provided by volunteers throughout the Cleveland area on November 28.

"One in seven people across Northeast Ohio is food insecure," said Fredy Robles, chief program officer of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. "Caring for unmet needs in our communities is a top priority at Catholic Charities, and we embrace the holidays especially as important opportunities to touch the lives of the individuals and families we serve.”

With generous contributions from partners including Elk & Elk Co. Ltd., Barons Bus, Northern Haserot, and several local parishes, as well as participation from the Cleveland Browns this year, Catholic Charities aims to make Thanksgiving a comforting holiday for many facing food insecurity. This support enables the charity to offer not only thousands of hot meals but also to operate smoothly with the efforts of its dedicated volunteers.

Community members who would like a meal delivered to their home on Thanksgiving Day are encouraged to register by calling 216-377-3725 or emailing holidays@ccdocle.org by November 25 at noon. Registrants need to provide their name, phone number, address, and the number of meals required. Volunteers will deliver meals on November 28 between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

For those wishing to dine at the St. Augustine Hunger Center, the meal service will be offered from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1400 Howard Ave. in Cleveland. Catholic Charities has also arranged for about 15 community partner agencies to distribute meals to surrounding areas, extending the organization’s reach to more in need.

Each year, hundreds of volunteers help facilitate the meal preparation and delivery. Those interested in volunteering for Thanksgiving this year can sign up at ccdocle.org/holidaymeals until the registration deadline on November 25. Eric Milkie, director of emergency assistance services at Catholic Charities, expressed deep appreciation for the volunteers and partners: “Thanksgiving can be a difficult and stressful time for individuals and families who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. We are grateful for the gracious support of vital partners and volunteers who spend their holiday joining in service at the St. Augustine Hunger Center.”

In addition to the Thanksgiving outreach, individuals and families are encouraged to consider monetary donations to support Catholic Charities’ meal programs, which operate year-round across Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Summit counties. Donations can be made at ccdocle.org/donate.

Catholic Charities, one of Northeast Ohio’s largest health and human services organizations, serves approximately 400,000 individuals annually, providing a wide range of services across eight counties: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit, and Wayne.