St. Francis Seraph Ministries

Who Can Visit?

The Mother Teresa of Calcutta Dining Room welcomes guests who are homeless and anyone who needs a meal. If you are struggling with hunger or experiencing homelessness, you are welcome to come in. There are no restrictions on who can receive a meal — everyone is served with dignity and respect.

Good to Know

Guests are known by name and are served without judgment. Staff and volunteers make personal connections with each person who comes to the table. Breakfast and dinner are served Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays). Breakfast is from 7:30–8:30 am and dinner is from 4:30–5:30 pm. You can also request a bag lunch when you come for a meal.

Food & Essentials

The dining room serves wholesome, hot meals at breakfast and dinner. Bag lunches are also available for any dining room guest. The Bag Lunch Program prepares pre-packaged sandwiches assembled by volunteers using donated supplies. Items that go into bag lunches include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bread, packaged snacks, juice boxes, and fruit cups.

How to Pick Up

When you arrive, volunteers and staff will serve you a hot meal in the dining room. You are seated and served at the table, just like a regular meal. If you would like a bag lunch to take with you, you can ask for one when you visit.

Additional Support

St. Francis Seraph Ministries offers several programs beyond the dining room:

• Foot Care for the Souls — Trained volunteers provide foot care, foot massages, and new socks and shoes to people experiencing homelessness. Clinics run from September through May on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:00–6:00 pm. For questions, contact swalsh@sfsministries.org.
• Sarah Center — A free program that teaches sewing, quilting, and jewelry-making skills to help people find work or earn extra income. Class size is limited and all materials are included.
• #Stitched# Job Training — A five-week sewing course held Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Classes include a break and lunch. The program costs $10 for the full five-week session and is limited to six people. Register at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1cNkYZ9RGmjlI2TnXNd6rYtcOyK1Yz6TfRqOsJJD3IP73aA/viewform or call 513-549-0542.
• Bag Lunch Program (community outreach) — Bag lunches are also distributed through local nonprofit partners to reach people in the wider community who are in need.

Ways to Give

Your support helps St. Francis Seraph Ministries keep serving meals and running its programs. Here are the ways you can give:

• Cash, Check, or Money Order — Make checks or money orders out to Saint Francis Seraph Ministries and mail or bring them to 1615 Republic St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
• Online Donation — Donate at sfsministries.org/donate.
• Amazon Wish List — Needed items include dried pasta, rice, tomato sauce, instant mashed potatoes, juice boxes, peanut butter, jelly, condiment packets, paper bags, nitrile gloves, wrapped cutlery, and sewing supplies. Ship items directly to St. Francis Seraph Ministries, 1615 Republic St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
• In-Kind Gifts — Drop off items like paper lunch bags, AA batteries, olive oil, spaghetti, sliced bread, juice boxes, fruit pouches, peanut or almond butter, and fabric at 1615 Republic St.
• Kroger Community Rewards — Link your Kroger Shopper's Card to SFSM (organization number 34662) at kroger.com/communityrewards and Kroger donates a portion of your purchases automatically.

For questions about giving, email team@sfsministries.org.

How to Join the Team?

Volunteers are at the heart of everything St. Francis Seraph Ministries does. You can sign up for a single shift or become a regular volunteer. Opportunities are available in the dining room, bag lunch program, Sarah Center, and Foot Care for the Souls clinic.

To get started, visit sfsministries.org/volunteer to see upcoming opportunities and register. You can also view the full volunteer calendar at sfsministries.galaxydigital.com/calendar.

Volunteer requirements:

• Must be at least 16 years old if a parent or guardian is not volunteering during the same shift. Children as young as 10 can volunteer with a parent or guardian.
• Must wear a mask and gloves at all times while in the building.
• Closed-toe shoes and sleeved shirts are required (no flip-flops or tank tops).
• Must be willing and able to pass a background check.
• Must bring a signed Waiver/Application on your first shift — this will be sent to you after you register.

For more information, contact Volunteer Director Susan Walsh at swalsh@sfsministries.org or call 513-549-0542 ext. 284.

Special group volunteer opportunities for team building or service learning are available on Tuesdays or Wednesdays — contact Susan Walsh for details.

For the Sarah Center, contact Program Director Adina Wofford at awofford@sfsministries.org.

For the Bag Lunch Program, contact Food Service Director Jay Olzak at jolzak@sfsministries.org to schedule a time.

For Foot Care for the Souls, contact swalsh@sfsministries.org.