The Dublin Food Pantry turns 50 in 2026, marking a half-century of feeding neighbors since its founding in March 1976 through Dublin Community Church.
The milestone comes after a record-setting 2025 in which the pantry served 10,487 households and provided 631,041 meals, according to the organization's anniversary page. Of those served, 3,482 were children.
More than 400 volunteers keep the operation running. Karen Ernes first showed up to help in 2008 and has continued through years of growing need. Dublin residents Gretchen and Brett Taylor bring food donations regularly and intentionally involve their children in each trip.
"Everyone can get help and everyone can give help," Gretchen Taylor said.
Executive Director Brian Otte, who started in the role in July, pointed to younger residents stepping up. Earlier in 2026, 769 kids participated in a Seeds of Caring project and collected 1,057 dental kits for pantry customers. In a July 28 blog post reflecting on his first month leading the organization, Otte wrote that what surprised him most was the breadth of ways the Dublin community supports the pantry's work.
The pantry has expanded its reach in the past year. Pop-Up Pantries launched in 2025 through a partnership with Dublin City Schools and OhioHealth's Dublin Family Medicine Residency program, bringing food to familiar locations during school breaks and summer months. Approximately 3,700 Dublin City Schools students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, and 23% of students are considered economically disadvantaged.
Volunteer drivers rescued more than 109,000 pounds of food from local retail partners between January and April 2026 alone, according to the pantry's May newsletter. One Jerome Village neighborhood collected more than 6,560 pounds of food and personal care items through the Neighborhood FoodShare Program between fall 2025 and spring 2026.
The FoodShare program gives participating households reusable green donation bags to fill with nonperishable food and personal care products, placed on porches on designated collection days.
The pantry is preparing for its annual Bounty at Bridge Park fundraising event. Barb Anderson, a board member and lead volunteer, chairs the event committee.
Residents who want to help can drop off nonperishable food donations at 6608 Dublin Center Drive through the far left door, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday. High-need items include diapers, feminine care products, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and nonperishable food.
Upcoming
- Bounty at Bridge Park fundraiser: date to be announced. Details at dublinfoodpantry.org.
- Food donations accepted daily at 6608 Dublin Center Drive, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
