Rose Garden Home Mission

Who Can Visit?

Everyone is welcome at Rose Garden Home Mission. You do not need to prove anything or answer any questions to receive food. There are no income limits, no ID requirements for food, and no restrictions based on race, gender, religion, or background. As the sisters put it: "Everyone needs to eat!"

For special items like diapers, clothing, and baby supplies, you may need to bring an ID and proof that you live in the county. New and expectant mothers can also register to receive a full baby basket when they are about 8 months pregnant — a proof of pregnancy note is needed for this.

How to Register?

To receive diapers and other baby items on a regular basis, you will need to bring the child's birth certificate and your own ID to register. For the annual Thanksgiving giveaway, neighbors must sign up in advance with their ID and proof of address, such as a lease, rent agreement, or utility bill.

For the free medical and dental clinic at the nearby Center for Hope and Healing (2020 Madison Ave.), call 859-261-0323 to learn more or set up an appointment.

Items Needed for Registration

• For food only: nothing required
• For diapers and baby items: your ID and the child's birth certificate
• For baby basket (expectant moms): a note from your doctor or midwife confirming your pregnancy
• For Thanksgiving giveaway: your ID and proof of address (lease, rent agreement, or utility bill)

How Often You Can Visit?

You can come in for food every day the pantry is open — Monday through Thursday, 11am–4pm. Reviewers mention that diapers can be requested once a week, and clothing assistance is available once a month.

Good to Know

• No appointment needed — just walk in during open hours
• The pantry runs entirely on donations, so food items change from day to day
• The organization states it is not responsible for spoiled or damaged products, since everything is donated
• Drinks and snacks are available while you wait
• Services are free to everyone, regardless of faith — no beliefs are pushed on visitors
• Translation is available at the medical clinic
• The pantry is run by the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, a Roman Catholic religious community, along with a large team of volunteers

Food & Essentials

The St. Francis Food Pantry offers free bags of groceries to anyone who walks in, no questions asked. Food is donated daily from local grocery stores and restaurants, so what is available changes each visit. Pre-packed bags of food that do not need to be cooked are available upon request — great if you do not have access to a stove or oven.

The pantry can accept and distribute fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and non-perishable food. At special events, they also give out full Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas dinners with all the trimmings.

How to Pick Up

Just walk in during open hours: Monday through Thursday, 11am–4pm. No appointment is needed. Tell the staff what you need when you arrive, and they will help you from there.

Additional Support

Rose Garden Home Mission offers much more than food:

• Baby and family supplies: diapers, wipes, formula, baby clothing, children's clothing, baby equipment (swings, strollers, car seats, and more), and welcome baskets for new moms
• Pregnancy support: free pregnancy tests, informal counseling, and material assistance for moms and their children
• Mommy bags: special gift bags for new mothers with hygiene items, candy, fuzzy socks, and small treats
• Christmas gifts: toys for children during the holiday season
• Walk-in health screenings: blood pressure and diabetes checks, available on Tuesdays 11am–3pm near the food pantry
• Free medical clinic (at 2020 Madison Ave.): open Tuesdays 9:30am–2:30pm and Wednesdays 11am–3:30pm — call 859-261-0323
• Free dental clinic (at 2020 Madison Ave.): hours vary; call 859-261-0323 for an appointment
• Professional psychological counseling
• Hygiene items and toiletries: available upon request when picking up food

Facilities

Rose Garden Home Mission is located at 2040 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41014. The center includes a food pantry, a family resource center, and a baby and pregnancy care area. The free medical and dental clinic, called the Center for Hope and Healing, is in a nearby building at 2020 Madison Ave. — park next to the building and come in the door beneath the large painting of Jesus.

The Center for Hope and Healing has earned a Gold Standards rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics five years in a row, and the 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Ways to Give

Rose Garden Home Mission runs 100% on donations and volunteers. Here is how you can help:

Material donations accepted:

• Non-expired food (fresh, refrigerated, frozen, or shelf-stable)
• Diapers (especially larger sizes), wipes, pull-ups, and formula
• New or gently used baby clothing and children's clothing (especially sizes 18 months–10/12)
• Baby equipment: swings, bassinettes, pack-n-plays, car seats, strollers, and more
• Maternity clothing and women's hygiene items
• Medical supplies, non-expired medications, and insulin

Financial donations:

• Mail a check to: P.O. Box 122070, Covington, KY 41012 — make it out to "The Rose Garden Mission," "The Friends of the Rose Garden Mission," "The Rose Garden Center for Hope and Healing," or "The Franciscan Daughters of Mary"
• Donate online at secure.myvanco.com/L-Z8CN/home

How to Join the Team?

Rose Garden Home Mission loves volunteers! Families with children are welcome — children just need to be accompanied by an adult.

To volunteer as an adult, you must:

• Pass a background check
• Be Virtus compliant (part of the "Protecting God's Children" program)
• Not currently be receiving assistance from the Rose Garden Mission
• Complete a volunteer survey

Dress code: Volunteers are asked to wear modest, respectful clothing. Skirts and dresses must be below the knee; shorts should be knee-length; no spaghetti straps, crop tops, low-cut tops, skin-tight clothing, or political slogans.

Common volunteer tasks include:

• Greeting neighbors and helping assess their needs
• Registering new moms and gathering items for them
• Assembling baby welcome baskets
• Sorting baby, children's, and adult clothing
• Stocking, assembling, and repackaging food
• Picking vegetables from the garden in summer
• Maintenance and cleaning

To get started or ask questions, email rosegardenmission@gmail.com or call 859-491-7673.