At The City Church – Reynoldsburg, we believe caring for people in times of need is an important expression of our faith and our commitment to community.
Benevolence is short-term, compassionate assistance provided to individuals or families experiencing an unexpected financial hardship, emergency, or basic-needs crisis.
The purpose of benevolence is not to provide ongoing financial support or replace community assistance programs. Rather, when resources are available, our goal is to help address an immediate need, provide encouragement, and connect individuals and families with organizations equipped to provide additional or longer-term support.
The City Church - Reynoldsburg maintains a limited and defined benevolence budget. Assistance is therefore based on the nature of the request, available resources, and the church’s ability to respond.
Depending upon the circumstances and available funding, assistance may include support with immediate basic needs, food, essential household items, emergency situations, or referrals to community organizations and government programs.
Submitting a request does not guarantee assistance. All requests are considered individually, and assistance is subject to available funding.
Because our benevolence ministry operates from a fixed and defined budget, The City Church - Reynoldsburg does not provide financial assistance toward rent, mortgage payments, electric, gas, water, sewer, or other utility bills.
We recognize that these needs can be urgent. For that reason, we have provided a list of community resources below that may be able to assist with rent, mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, housing stability, and other needs.
The City Church - Reynoldsburg is proud to participate in the Columbus Blessing Boxes Project.
Blessing Boxes are community-based locations where individuals can access food and basic necessities. The concept is simple: take what you need and leave what you can.
To locate a Blessing Box near you, visit the Columbus Blessing Boxes Project map.
For individuals who are unsure which program can help, 211 is one of the best starting points. LSS 211 Central Ohio is Franklin County’s designated information and referral service and connects residents with housing, food, utilities, health care, emergency assistance, and other community resources. (Lutheran Social Services Network of Hope)
Call: 2-1-1
Alternate Phone: 614-221-2255
Foodline: 614-341-2282
Foodline Text: 614-702-7772
Address: 1105 Schrock Road, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43229
Visit LSS 211 Central Ohio
Franklin County’s Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) program may provide eligible families with short-term emergency assistance for needs including rent or mortgage payments, security deposits, utilities, transportation-related needs, and certain home repairs. Eligibility requirements apply. (Franklin County Ohio)
PRC Emergency Assistance: 614-233-2999
JFS Customer Access Center: 1-844-640-6446
Email: franklin-cdjfs-agencyprc@jfs.ohio.gov
Northland Opportunity Center: 1721 Northland Park Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229
East Opportunity Center: 1055 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203
West Opportunity Center: 314 N. Wilson Road, Columbus, OH 43204
Franklin County Emergency Assistance / PRC
IMPACT Community Action administers energy-assistance programs for eligible Franklin County residents, including HEAP, the Winter and Summer Crisis Programs, and PIPP. These programs may assist qualifying households experiencing utility disconnection or difficulty maintaining gas or electric service. (IMPACT Community Action)
Phone: 614-252-2799
Address: 711 Southwood Avenue, Columbus, OH 43207
Visit IMPACT Community Action
Eligible veterans and their families experiencing an immediate, short-term financial need may qualify for temporary financial assistance. Assistance can include needs related to food, housing, and utilities, subject to eligibility and review. (Franklin County Ohio)
Phone: 614-525-2500
Email: vsc.intake@franklincountyohio.gov
Address: 280 E. Broad Street, Room 100, Columbus, OH 43215
Franklin County Veterans Service Commission
Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or needing emergency shelter in Franklin County should contact the Homeless Hotline.
24/7 Homeless Hotline: 614-274-7000 (Franklin County Ohio)
Franklin County also maintains a searchable resource directory covering financial support, housing, food, transportation, child care, employment, legal assistance, health care, aging services, reentry services, and other needs. (Franklin County, Ohio)
Search Franklin County Community Resources
Fairfield County 2-1-1 connects residents with available local services for housing, rent assistance, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, employment, mental health, health care, and other basic needs. (Fairfield County 2-1-1)
Call: 2-1-1
Phone: 740-687-0500
Address: 108 W. Main Street, Suite C, Lancaster, OH 43130
Visit Fairfield County 2-1-1
Fairfield County’s PRC program provides eligible families with short-term emergency assistance. Current categories include rent and deposit assistance, utility assistance, car repair, employment-related services, and assistance for victims of domestic violence. Funding and eligibility requirements apply. (Fairfield County Job and Family Services)
Community Services / PRC: 740-652-7889
Email: PRC23@jfs.ohio.gov
Address: 239 W. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130
Fairfield County PRC Emergency Assistance
The Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency provides several services for income-eligible individuals and families, including food assistance, homelessness assistance, emergency family shelter, and home-energy assistance. (Lancaster Fairfield Community Action)
Its Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible households with home-energy bills, and seasonal crisis programs may assist households facing disconnection or loss of service. (Lancaster Fairfield Community Action)
Main Office: 740-653-4146
HEAP Appointment Line: 740-777-9055
Address: 1743 E. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130
Visit Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency
Eligible Fairfield County veterans and dependents experiencing temporary or emergency financial hardship may be considered for assistance. The Commission identifies possible assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities, food, fuel, emergency home repairs, and certain other necessities, subject to eligibility and program limits. (Fairfield Veterans Services)
Phone: 740-652-7920
Address: 1550 Sheridan Drive, Suite 301, Lancaster, OH 43130
Fairfield County Veterans Service Commission
For individuals or families seeking emergency shelter in Fairfield County:
LSS Faith Mission of Fairfield County: 740-653-2012 during weekday business hours
After Hours: 740-277-2340 (Lutheran Social Services Network of Hope)
These resources serve residents beyond a single county and may be particularly helpful when someone is behind on a mortgage or facing eviction or foreclosure.
Save the Dream Ohio is Ohio’s foreclosure-prevention resource. Homeowners can receive free referrals to housing counseling, legal assistance, and other foreclosure-prevention resources. (Ohio Attorney General)
Phone: 888-404-4674
Save the Dream Ohio Information
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals, seniors, and veterans. Assistance includes issues involving housing, eviction, foreclosure, public benefits, consumer matters, family law, and other civil legal needs. (Lasco)
Intake: 1-888-246-4420
Columbus Office: 614-221-7201
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio
Fairfield County residents may also visit the Fairfield County Legal Help Center, which offers free assistance to self-represented residents with matters including foreclosures and other civil legal issues. (Fairfield County Clerk of Courts)
Appointments: 740-652-7070
Location: Fairfield County Hall of Justice, 224 E. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130
Community programs establish their own eligibility requirements, application processes, service areas, and funding limits. The City Church - Reynoldsburg does not endorse any of the aforementioned resources, nor do we determine eligibility for any outside organization and cannot guarantee that assistance will be available. Funding for many programs is limited and may change throughout the year.
If you are experiencing an urgent need, we encourage you to contact the appropriate agency directly rather than waiting for a response from the church.
If you do not know where to begin, call 2-1-1 and explain your situation. A resource specialist can help identify programs currently serving your area and your specific need.
Sometimes benevolence means providing financial or material assistance. Other times, it means helping someone find the right resource, making a connection, offering prayer, or walking alongside a person during a difficult season.
At The City Church – Reynoldsburg, our desire is to respond with compassion while being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to our church.