Prior to the mid-November end to the US government shutdown, Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland (CCDC) received a generous donation to be distributed to Northeast Ohio SNAP families. The donation was distributed in the form of gift cards to CCDC’s network of sites, and promoted throughout local SNAP networks.
Responding SNAP program beneficiaries (who had not received benefits since the beginning of the month) overwhelmed Tremont’s St. Augustine Hunger Center on November 7th, leaving a long, unmoving line of neighbors and their children in 47° temps and sometimes driving rain. The line extended from the door of the hunger center to Howard Ave, then continued far down W. 14th St.
We followed up with Malorie Phillips, Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland (CCDC) spokesperson, at the beginning of the following week.
She explained, “We had a generous donor come to us and offer additional resources that we could hand out at our specific sites. CCDC has multiple sites across eight counties and St. Augustine is one of those.” These resources took the form of SNAP program gift cards.
According to Malorie, CCDC closed specific distribution sites that experienced overwhelming needs when each ran out of resources, and then regrouped to distribute any last remaining funds. “On Friday, St. Augustine was closed due to no more additional resources available. Unfortunately, those standing out there were hopeful we could replenish sooner,” Malorie said.
Those we spoke to in line asked us desperate questions in return. One mother asked, “Do you know how many people are in there?” None seemed aware there were no more gift cards coming.
The doors of the St. Augustine Hunger Center were closed by 9:15 am on Friday. “Once those resources are gone,” Malorie said, “…they’re kind of gone at this point unless we get additional donations.”
This event makes clear the extraordinary time of need in which we live. If you are able, please visit ccdocle.org/campaigns/emergency-assistance or call 216-334-2900 to donate to help the efforts of CCDC.
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Also, The Tremonster has officially partnered with Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC) and Tremont’s neighborhood block clubs on the expansion of the 2025 Tremont Holiday Food Drive.
Due to recent reductions in SNAP benefits, many households are facing increased challenges in meeting their basic food needs. To help support our neighbors during this time, TWDC and partners kicked off the Tremont Annual Holiday Food Drive early (on November 3rd) this year.
If you can, please help us ensure that everyone in our community can enjoy a nourishing and joyful holiday season. All funds raised will go directly toward providing food and essential items for local families and individuals in need.
How to Give:
- Visit GiveButter.com/9uaB5e,
- Click Donate, and select an amount,
- Specify a Tremont Block Club or select TWDC,
- Choose which food pantry or hunger center you’d like your donation to support.
We have always tracked our block club donations to add a fun competition to this annual holiday drive, but most important of all is the goal: lending a helping hand to neighbors, families, and children in need in Tremont, Duck Island, and Irishtown Bend, and providing help to the 12 Cleveland food pantries and ministries that serve our wider community. They are listed below:
- The Greater Cleveland Food Bank
- Hunger Action Network of Greater Cleveland
- Iglesia Nueva Vida Food Pantry
- Immanuel Lutheran Church Food Pantry
- Mega Church Resource Center Food Pantry
- Pilgrim Congregational UCC Food Pantry
- St. Augustine Catholic Charities Hot Meals Program
- Scranton Road Bible Church Food Pantry
- St. Malachi Church – Back Door Ministry
- St. Augustine Community Cupboard & Closet
- St. Michael the Archangel Parish Food Pantry
- West Side Catholic Resource Center
