Food for Thought

Food for Thought offers various community services and resources to Toledo area residents. We're a busy group with a big vision, so here's a list of what we do. More importantly, though, is why we do what we do. Food for Thought is not about solving hunger...it is about building relationships! It is about feeding the hungry physically and spiritually. The number one enemy the homeless fight is loneliness. Food For Thought's purpose is to be a gateway between poverty and prosperity. Food For Thought's mission is to serve those in various needs despite their position in order to develop relationships that aid in reconciliation and redemption. Food For Thought's vision is that everyone realizes their worth through serving others.

We are an organization of people who care about others and want to help those in need. We believe serving can change both those who are served and those who are serving. We believe anyone can serve. In fact, we often see generous, selfless behavior from our friends on the street helping each other. It's getting to see that compassion, seeing people opening up and sharing their stories, seeing them realize they still matter in the world, and seeing them start to take steps to change their lives...all this has changed us, too, and we love it.

Saturday mornings, rain or shine, we meet up at the little park next to the Main Library in downtown Toledo (corner of Adams and Michigan) around 10am. We set up benches, unpack the van and any other vehicles, and people receive a brown bag lunch, fruit, snacks, drinks, and any other treats we might have on hand. In fact, volunteers often bring something special - flowers, soup, cupcakes and candy. We also distribute clothes and hygiene products.

The Food Pantry
Located inside New Harvest Christian Church, the Food Pantry's mission is to increase access to food for hungry people. We serve the Oregon community's low-income populace with nutritious non-perishable food, occasional fresh produce, and personal care items.
The Food Pantry is a "Choice Pantry" meaning that individuals can choose what they receive. This creates a grocery store atmosphere. Food is acquired through donations and by purchase at the Northwest Ohio Food Bank. Pantry Hours are Tuesday and Friday, 6pm till 8pm and Wednesday and Thursday 10am till 2pm.

Our Mobile Pantry
A Mobile Pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to hungry people in need of food. Our 17-foot truck carries nonperishable food, like rice, canned protein sources, pasta, and breakfast cereals to families and individuals who have difficulty arranging rides to stationary food pantries.

Clients can select food coming directly from the truck. The Mobile Pantry is also able to serve locations of concentrated need where residents may lack rides to food assistance agencies or where agencies do not exist. The clients are able to "shop" through the truck, choosing items that they need.