Low income families may be able to receive free clothes, diapers, furniture, back to school supplies and household goods from clothing closets that are located across Franklin County Ohio. There are also several thrift stores that are open to the general public, and they will sell gently used, but affordable goods.

Many of the centers are run as client choice locations, meaning individuals, including those with children, will only select what they need, whether it is a winter jacket, bed for their kids, backpacks for students, or other items. Free vouchers will be used in some cases. The clothing closets are often run by churches, charities, and other Franklin County Ohio non-profit organizations. In fact, they depend on donations from people in the community to get them running.

What an individual will find at a location will vary. The hours are also limited. Sites may have winter coats or hats for children. Other will provide parents with free job interview or work appropriate clothes, such as suits or dresses. Special seasonal programs are offered as well, including free school supplies, uniforms or backpacks or notebooks for back to school or free holiday meals or gifts for children from the greater Columbus community.

Church and Community Development for All People - United Methodist Free Store
Address is 946 South Parsons Avenue
Columbus, OH 43206
Phone number - (614) 443-1713
The church offers free clothing, blankets, household items and referrals to social services to families in need. This may be couches, beds, tables, kitchen utensils and so much more.

Church of the Good Shepherd
6176 Sharon Woods Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43229
For hours, dial (614) 326-9062
Runs a free store. Based on donations, it primarily provides clothing, personal hygiene items and some small household items in Franklin County.

Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resource Center
14 West Lakeview Avenue
Columbus, OH 43202
(614) 268-8118
Parents can get work attire and students (kindergarden to high school) free school supplies. There may be books for reading, electronics, shoes, winter coats, and even medical supplies for the disabled or elderly in Franklin County.

Grace Central Presbyterian Church
Location of clothing bank is 237 West Second Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 859-2871
Offers clothing to children, low-income individuals, seniors and families. Boots, shoes, school uniforms, and more is passed out.

Hilltop Lutheran Church - Clothes Shop
2445 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43204
Distributes gently used, affordable clothing, school supplies, toys, and other items for all ages at an extreme discount. So this is a regional thrift stores.

Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
Address is 118 South Yale Avenue
Columbus, OH 43222-1369
Main number is (614) 272-9544
Each year hundreds of struggling, working poor, and low income families may get help. Couches, beds, tables, lamps, dinette sets, pots and pans, and much more may be offered. It is a local free furniture bank in Franklin County.

Joseph’s Coat of Central Ohio
Address of free furniture and clothing bank is 240 Outerbelt Street
Columbus, Ohio 43213
(614) 863-1371
The charity help families living in or near poverty. Furniture such as beds or kitchen tables, electronics, and free clothes are offered. There may also be diapers, pots or pans and household supplies, hygiene items, and children can register for a free back to school supply event giveaway.

Imani Christian Church
Address - 286 Belvidere Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43223
Telephone: (614) 373-6918
Other items may include holiday goods, school supplies or uniforms, and more. Kids, including from single mom households, can be given free birthday gifts too. There are also meals and food.

Inner City Ministries
846 Sullivant Avenue
Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 469-7920
Offers supply of general clothing items. Low income or those on section 8 HUD vouchers can get furniture (beds, tables, lamps, couches, etc.) for a new home or apartment.

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church - Soup kitchen too
Main address is 428 East Main Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Main phone - (614) 222-6717

Stowe Mission of Franklin County and Central Ohio
Location - 888 Parsons Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43206
Telephone number is (614) 445-8400
The charity helps the less fortunate. Kids, babies and teenagers can apply for free Christmas toys or items for school at public or private schools. Basic health care, job training, professional work attire, and GERD type services may be offered too along with books, briefcases, dresses or slacks, shirts and more.

New Life United Methodist Church
25 West Fifth Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 294-0134
Free gently used coats, clothing and household linens. Other clothes passed out include new socks, underwear, hats and personal hygiene products for free. The homeless can stop by too.

New Salem Missionary Baptist Church - Mission House
1880 Agler Road
Columbus, OH 43224
(614) 267-2536

Saint Stephen House
The charity may be able to assist as well. More on Saint Stephen House assistance programs Franklin County.

Salvation Army in Central Ohio
966 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205, telephone (614) 253-6811
888 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206, main phone (614) 449-8066
2300 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43204, (614) 274-7600
3662 Karl Road, Columbus, OH 43224, (614) 262-9611
760 Worthington Woods Boulevard, Worthington, OH 43085, (614) 846-1884
Provides material assistance and basic needs. This may include access to a food pantry and clothing bank. Other items from thrift stores are furniture, small appliances, clothing and referrals to other community services and resources in Franklin County.

Free toys and meals are offered at Christmas as part of Angel Tree and other programs. They also give students from low income households free back to school supplies. But a big focus is on free clothes for winter, and given them to kids and the elderly.

Volunteers of America Operation Backpack
1776 East Broad Street,
Columbus, Ohio 43203
Main phone - (614) 253-6100
Students from low to moderate income families in Franklin County can get new backpacks, uniforms, clothes, pens as well as other school supplies. The regional VOA also has free clothing. Meals, blankets for the homeless, and other goods are provided too.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Clothing Distribution Center
578 East Main Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone - (614) 221-3554
A clothing bank and pantry are on site. Or get referrals to low income housing or financial aid. The charity relies on volunteers. A furniture bank, clothes for winter, some school items and more also may be passed out.

Stonybrook United Methodist Church
485 Cherry Bottom Road
Columbus, OH 43230
Call the center at (614) 471-0252

Veterans First Foundation
1205 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43222
(614) 307-8274

Stone Village Church Outreach Ministries
Address of clothing bank and thrift store is 139 East Second Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43201
Main number is (614) 579-5493
During the fall or winter, free jackets, hats, and boots are offered. They also help immigrants and the working poor get a birth certificate, identification, or other Ohio documentation.

Westside Free Store Ministries
61 South Powell Avenue
Columbus, OH 43204
(614) 351-5480
A number of free items are passed out to the needy.

JOIN - Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs
578 East Main Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 241-2530
A number of financial assistance programs, free items, and referrals are offered. There may be back to school supplies or noteooks, small household furniture item, coats, boots, sneakers and more. Financial help for utilities may also be offered.

Welcome Warehouse at Indian Run Methodist Church
Location is 6305 Brand Road
Dublin, OH 43016
Call (614) 726-6958
Has housewares, free clothes, personal care items (soap and shampoo, etc.) to low income and working poor families in need.

By Jon McNamara

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