Food Pantry FAQs

1. Why are we relocating the food pantry to our Westerville Campus?

This is a story God has been unfolding over several years. While our Northside Food Pantry on Cleveland Avenue has served faithfully for decades, it is no longer sustainable long-term. At the same time, the community we serve has gradually moved closer to our Westerville Campus, making this a more strategic location to meet real needs with greater accessibility and dignity.

In light of our 10-year vision, Every Generation for Future Generations, and the growing needs of our city - including the fact that 1 in 5 children in Ohio face food insecurity - our leaders were stirred to respond boldly. That response is The Market.

2. What is The Market?

The Market is more than just a food pantry - it is an upgrade and transformation of how we serve individuals and families facing food insecurity. Designed to be a beautiful, dignified, and welcoming space, The Market will allow us to serve our neighbors with care, compassion, and hospitality, reflecting the heart of Jesus in both practical and spiritual ways.

Located inside the Vineyard Community Center at our Westerville campus, The Market will offer easy access to wraparound services including counseling, clinics, immigration support, and ESL/GED classes.

3. What are the benefits of relocating?

Relocating our food pantry from Cleveland Avenue to the Westerville Campus brings several key benefits:

1. Closer to the Community We Serve: Many families who once visited our Northside location now live closer to Westerville, reducing barriers to access.

2. One-Stop Support: Guests can connect with wraparound services like health clinics, counseling, ESL, immigration support, and Value Life all in one location.

3. Gospel Connection: Being on our church campus allows for greater opportunities to share the good news of Jesus and invite people into our church family.

4. Volunteer Engagement: Volunteers from our church and community can serve more easily at a familiar, accessible location.

5. Operational Savings: We'll eliminate leasing and maintenance costs from Northside and leverage efficiencies by consolidating ministries.

6. Better Parking & Logistics: Westerville offers improved facilities for guests, especially those transporting groceries.

7. Partnership Potential: The Westerville site increases our opportunity to collaborate with external partners such as: COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) - Our region's public transportation provider, MORPC (Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission) - A regional agency that supports infrastructure planning and funding, and MOFC (Mid-Ohio Food Collective) - Our long-time food distribution hunger-relief partner, helping ensure high-quality, consistent access to nutritious food.

4. Isn't proximity to a bus line important for a food pantry?

Yes - but in practice, most guests at our Cleveland Ave pantry arrived by car or carpool due to the volume of groceries. The Westerville location offers significantly better parking, and we are already in discussion with COTA and City of Columbus officials to ensure continued accessibility.

5. Where will The Market be located?

The Market will be built within the Vineyard Community Center at our Westerville Campus. The Market will replace the Puppet Room, Dance Room, staff offices, and current Health Clinic space.

6. Will we continue to have a Health Clinic?

Yes. While our partnership with Lower Lights Health Clinics is coming to a close, our Vineyard Free Health Clinic will continue to operate and serve many individuals and families in our community.

As part of this project, the clinic will relocate to a new space within our Vineyard Community Center, utilizing some of the area previously occupied by our early childhood center. This move will ensure that guests can access medical services in a setting that is more integrated with our other outreach ministries—like The Market, immigration counseling, and mental health services.

7. What will happen to the Bookstore?

While the original plan was to retrofit the Bookstore and East Lobby, updated design and cost studies led us to shift into existing interior space. The Bookstore space is now open for creative ministry and weekend hospitality. We’re currently using it to serve coffee and test other ideas while praying about long-term redemptive use of the space.

8. What is the timeline for completion?

Our goal is to complete both The Market and the relocated Health Clinic by October 2026, just in time for the 20-year anniversary of the Vineyard Community Center.

9. How are we serving families until then?

We are operating our Mobile Food Pantry in the north parking lot of Westerville Campus:

Pickup Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs (1-4:30pm) and Sat (9-11am)
Order Online: www.smartchoice.life/northside

10. Will we continue to utilize our Mobile Food Pantry to serve needs in our city?

Yes! Our Mobile Food Pantry will remain a vital part of our outreach strategy across all of our campuses—allowing us to serve neighborhoods throughout the city, respond to emergency needs, and partner with other churches and organizations. Even after The Market opens, we will continue using the mobile unit to extend our reach and serve beyond our walls.

11. How much will The Market and Clinic cost?

The total capital cost for the Market and Clinic buildout is estimated at $1.2 million.

12. How will the project be funded?

The project will be significantly funded through Kingdom Builders—a group of Vineyard Columbus members who give above and beyond their normal tithe to fuel strategic ministry expansion.

Our Kingdom Builders are making initial commitments now to help build out The Market and Clinic. We hope to have a significant portion committed by November 2025.

If full funding is not in place by then, we may bring the project to the entire church to complete the giving.

13. How can we afford this project—and will it be sustainable?

This is a fair and important question, especially after a year of financial adjustment and staff restructuring. Here’s what you need to know:

This project is being funded separately from our annual operating budget, through designated giving, led by our Kingdom Builders.

We are only moving forward as gifts are committed.
Once complete, ongoing operations will be absorbed into our Mission and Community Center budgets, without increasing central church expenses.

By relocating The Market to Westerville:
- We eliminate lease and maintenance costs from our Cleveland Ave (Northside) property.
- We reduce duplication by consolidating ministries under one roof.
- We leverage existing sta and volunteer infrastructure already in place.

This is a one-time capital investment in a permanent, sustainable solution to meet urgent needs in our city—aligned with our 10-year vision for the next generation.

14. Who can I contact with questions about The Market or how to get involved?

Please contact our Director of Mission, Nikki Mills, at Nikki.Mills@vineyardcolumbus.org