With the federal government shutdown likely heading into another month, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not receive their benefits for the month of November. Food banks and pantries are working overtime to ensure Greater Cincinnati’s families will be fed, but local restaurants, bakeries and organizations like the public library are stepping up to help fill in gaps as well. Within the last few days, some of these places have announced offers on free kids’ meals, no purchase required, while others have offered to donate proceeds from orders.
This is a running list and we will update it accordingly. If you know of any restaurants, bakeries or other organizations offering similar free meals (for kids or adults) or donating meal proceeds toward food banks and pantries or collecting donations, please reach out to our digital editor, Katherine Barrier, at kbarrier@citybeat.com.
You can also find a comprehensive list of food banks and pantries in Greater Cincinnati here.
The Works Pizza
114 Park Place, Covington; 5901 E. Galbraith Road, Kenwood; 20 Grear Millitzer Place, Loveland
Starting Monday, Nov. 3, kids can eat free at any of The Works Pizza Co. locations until SNAP benefits are restored. Every kid who visits gets one free Kid’s Meal, no purchase necessary and no questions asked; kids must be present to receive the free meal, however. Just say “SNAP KID’S MEAL” to receive the offer, says the restaurant.
The Works Pizza Co. has also kicked off its holiday food drive. If you bring in five non-perishable items, you’ll get 25% off your meal. And, if you buy a kid’s meal at half price, they’ll pass it on to a child in need.
By Golly’s Bar & Grill
714 Lila Ave., Milford; 8112 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township; 313 Greenup St., Covington
By Golly’s, like The Works Pizza Co. is also owned by Epic Eats Restaurant Group, so they’re offering the same deal: Starting Monday, Nov. 3, kids can eat free at any By Golly’s location until SNAP benefits are restored. Every kid who visits gets one free Kid’s Meal, no purchase necessary and no questions asked; kids must be present to receive the free meal, however. Just say “SNAP KID’S MEAL” to receive the offer, says the restaurant.
By Golly’s has also kicked off its holiday food drive. If you bring in five non-perishable items, you’ll get 25% off your meal. And, if you buy a kid’s meal at half price, they’ll pass it on to a child in need.
Greek to Me
3415 Dixie Highway, Erlanger
Greek to Me is offering free kids’ meals to SNAP recipients beginning Saturday, Nov. 1 until benefits are restored. Each meal includes one Kid’s Gyro, one Kid’s Fry and a drink. The offer is for dine-in and carryout guests only — not valid through delivery or pickup apps. Children must be present and the deal is limited to one meal per child 16 and under per visit. Just ask for the Kid’s Gyro Meal and show your SNAP card.
Café Zara
7125 Liberty Centre Drive, West Chester
European and Middle Eastern-inspired cafe and bakery Café Zara says all Halloween orders this week will go toward food donations. Additionally, owner Ally Delmendo writes, “If there is any way we can help get food on your family’s table during these tough times, please e-mail us at ilovecafezara@gmail.com. I promise it will be confidential and I’m the only one who sees company emails. No judgement. No irrelevant questions.”
Jenny’s Signature Bakehouse
Jenny’s Signature Bakehouse (also known as Jenny’s Homemade) in Amelia is offering a free 6-inch round cake (serves eight people) or a dozen cupcakes for anyone on SNAP who needs a treat for their child’s birthday in November. Cakes and cupcakes come with vanilla icing and rainbow sprinkles in chocolate, vanilla or confetti flavors. Cakes will feature a “Happy Birthday” message with your child’s name and a number candle for their age. Cupcakes will have birthday toppers and a number candle. Pickup will be in Amelia, about two minutes from West Clermont High School. Email signaturebakehouse@gmail.com or send a direct message on Facebook. You will need to present an EBT card at pickup with a name matching the recipient.
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Select branches
The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library partners with UMC Food Ministry to offer a free after-school meal and snacks at select branch locations Monday through Friday. You can find an updated list of participating branches and their meal times here.
Pickles & Bones Barbecue
887a Business 28, Milford
While the shutdown continues, barbecue joint Pickles & Bones will offer complimentary pulled pork sandwiches and a side to any student in the Milford School District, no ID or any other purchase necessary and kids do not need to be present. You can stop in or call 513-317-2214 to order; just say you want the “student special.”
Forever Kings
3270 North Bend Road, Monfort Heights
This nonprofit that aims to empower young men of color is bringing back its weekly “Dinner on Us” series, which it launched in response to the COVID pandemic. Each Wednesday from 6-8 p.m., Forever Kings will offer free meals to the community at its headquarters on North Bend Road.
Richie’s Chicken & Soul
110 Woolper Ave., Avondale; 8265 Colerain Ave., Colerain
Until Nov. 30, kids ages 1-13 can eat for free daily at Richie’s Chicken & Soul in both Avondale and Colerain. You can get one free kid’s meal per child per day when you dine in or take out, no ID required. Kids’ meals ages 1-6 include one chicken leg (regular or spicy), three potato wedges, one roll or piece of cornbread, a Mandarin orange and 16-oz. water or lemonade. For ages 7-13, kids get two chicken legs (regular or spicy), three potato wedges, a roll or piece of cornbread, a Mandarin orange and a 16-oz. water or lemonade.
Mad Anthony’s Pizza
401 Greenup St., Covington
Show your EBT card at Mad Anthony’s Pizza at Covington Yard and receive a free slice or half off a cheese pizza.
Cassano’s Pizza
4761 Dixie Highway, Fairfield
Until SNAP benefits are fully restored in Ohio, Fairfield mom-and-pop pizzeria Cassano’s is offering kids one free six-inch kid’s pizza. You must be dining in and kids must be present. Orders are limited to one pizza per child.
Sidewinder Coffee
4181 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Sidewinder Coffee has a collection barrel for the CAIN food pantry where customers can drop off non-perishables. They also have a QR code at the counter if you would like to make a monetary donation.
The Bookery
3704 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum
Every Sunday, bookstore The Bookery will donate all its profits from the day’s sales to the Freestore Foodbank.
Roebling Point Books & Coffee
306 Greenup St., Covington; 601 Overton St., Newport; 301 Sixth Ave., Dayton
While the shutdown continues, Roebling Point Books & Coffee will also be donating its Sunday profits to food pantry Be Concerned. You can also drop off food donations for Covunity Fridge at all three Roebling Point locations.
Hierophany & Hedge
19 W. Pike St., Covington
Throughout November, bespoke arcana shop Hierophany & Hedge is giving 10% of every dollar it makes to food pantry Be Concerned and the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky. There is no upper or lower limit on your purchase either; if you buy $100 worth of products, the shop will donate $10.
Downbound Books
4139 Apple St., Northside
Downbound Books will donate its Sunday sales during the shutdown to Northside nonprofit and food pantry CAIN.