ARTS

CLIENT ARTWORK DISPLAY PROGRAM: The Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board is now accepting applications for our 2026 Client Artwork Display Program. This inspiring initiative showcases client art, highlights our provider agencies, recognizes the benefits of art therapy and celebrates recovery. It is open to Cuyahoga County residents receiving mental health and/or addiction recovery support services. A minimum of five pieces of artwork must be displayed to be eligible, but more is encouraged! Selected artwork is displayed at the ADAMHS Board office and in our website art gallery for one month. Art is also featured in our newsletter and social media channels. Client artists displaying individually (not with an agency) receive a gift card for participating. Apply now at: https://tinyurl.com/ADAMHSart. Spots are limited. Applications are accepted until December 5, 2025 or until all spots are filled. Please contact Joicelyn Weems, at 216-241-3400 x708, if you have any questions.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPEN STUDIO: Arthouse Inc. (3119 Denison Ave.) offers a free family-friendly workshop one Saturday a month, from 1 pm-3 pm. This month’s Friends and Family Open Studio, “Wonderful Winter Ornaments,” led by Jan McAndrew, will be held on Saturday, December 13. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Donations are appreciated.Visit arthouseinc.org to sign up or call 216-398-8556 for more information.

FOOD

GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK offers an interactive map on their website that can help you find food pantries and hot meals in your area, giving you access to their network of over a thousand partner organizations. Visit greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/Map and enter your location to get started, or call their help center at 216-738-2067.

UNITED WAY 2-1-1 FOOD FINDER: Because of the increased need, United Way has launched a free food finder on its website. If you’re in need of food or other kinds of assistance – such as housing, clothes, utility bills and more – visit 211oh.org or call 2-1-1.

KIDS’ CAFE AFTERSCHOOL MEALS: The Kids’ Café program provides free, nutritious afterschool meals for children and teens, Monday thru Friday, at select branches of the Cleveland Public Library, including: the Carnegie West Branch (1900 Fulton Rd., 216-623-6927), the Eastman Branch (11602 Lorain Ave., 216-623-6955), the Fulton Branch (3545 Fulton Rd., 216-623-6969), the Jefferson Branch (850 Jefferson Ave., 216-623-7004), the South Branch (3096 Scranton Rd., 216-623-7060), and the South Brooklyn Branch (4303 Pearl Rd.,           216-623-7067). No registration is required. For specific dates and times, call your local branch.

ST. AUGUSTINE HUNGER CENTER (1400 Howard Ave., in the Tremont neighborhood) offers FREE hot meals daily. Lunch: Monday – Sunday, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, and Dinner: Monday – Friday, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. We also offer a food pantry and clothing distribution at the St. Augustine Community Cupboard and Closet, every Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm. For more information, call 216-415-5101.

ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (10205 Lorain Ave.) offers a free hot meal at its Community Share-a-Meal event, on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. All are welcome. Join us in the cafeteria and enter through the rear door. Doors open at 4:30 pm for coffee, appetizers, and catching up with friends. Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm. We also offer a food pantry on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 3:30 pm. (Picture ID and proof of residency in zip code 44111 or 44102 are required for the pantry – but not for the Community Share-a-Meal).

ST. PAT’S HUNGER CENTER  (3606 Bridge Ave.) offers free hot meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm  to 6 pm. We also offer a food pantry, offering basic non-perishable and some perishable grocery items on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of every month, from 9:30 am to noon. Non-perishable items are distributed in pre-selected sealed boxes; there may be a minimal selection of perishable foods. Clients must provide photo ID and household composition along with proof of address. For information or to volunteer, contact Sandie at 440-364-2602.

METROHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER, in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank,holds a free fresh produce distribution on the third Thursday of each month, 9:30 am to 11:30 am at 2500 MetroHealth Drive, in the Outpatient Plaza.

HALLE SCHOOL PRODUCE MARKET: Halle School (7901 Halle Ave.) hosts a free drive-thru produce distribution on the fourth Wednesday of every month, unless otherwise noted. This month, it will be held a week early, on Wednesday, December 18, due to Christmas. The giveaway will take place in our east parking lot. Patrons must stay in their vehicles and open their trunks when it’s their turn. Food will be pre-bagged.

MAY DUGAN CENTER (4115 Bridge Ave.) offers free food distribution every week on Wednesdays from 11:30am-6 pm and Fridays from 11:30am – 3:30pm. You will only be able to pick up once a week​​. Each time you will receive pantry bags, produce and meat (when available). You must take the whole bag of food with you. Walk-ins are accepted until food runs out. You can also make an appointment. To learn more, visit maydugancenter.org/food.

HEALTH

CENTERING PREGNANCY, a group prenatal care program that combines individual medical check-ups with group sessions for education, support, and community building, is available through Neighborhood Family Practice. Learn from our midwives and other pregnant patients to empower you for your birthing experience. Every session begins and ends on time, and food is provided. For more information, email centering@nfpmedcenter.org.

DEPRESSION AND SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD):  If you or someone you love is struggling with depression and/or thinking about suicide, get help now. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988, is a free resource, available 24 hours a day for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT ends on Sunday, December 7. Get free help now from the Aging and Disability Resource Center at the City of Cleveland’s Department of Aging (75 Erieview Plaza Suite 201). Schedule an appointment today to receive one-on-one counseling from a trained volunteer, who can help you enroll in Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D. Call 215-664-4383 to get started.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

CLEVELAND BAZAAR HOLIDAY MARKET: Cleveland’s longest-running indie craft fair returns for its 21st year at 78th Street Studios (1305 W. 80th St). Come check out crafts and goods for sale from over 125 Bazaar artists, resident artist studios, food trucks and so much more. Saturday, December 13 from 10 am to 9 pm and Sunday, December 14 from 10 am to 4 pm.

MAY DUGAN TREE LIGHTING: Join us for our 16th annual tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 4, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, at the May Dugan Center (4115 Bridge Ave). Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, ice sculpting, music and singing. Santa (and the Grinch!) will be in attendance. Free event. Donations welcome.

NUTCRACKER EXTRAVAGANZA returns Friday, December 5 to Cleveland Public Library’s Carnegie West Branch (1900 Fulton Rd). Join us for a performance from Dance Arts by Regina as they share excerpts of the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. This 45-minute interactive presentation will enchant both children and adults as they are swept away to the Land of the Sweets. There will also be tree ornaments to decorate, holiday displays to browse and check out, and refreshments. The event starts at 3 pm, and the performance begins at 4 pm.

PARRANDÓN NAVIDEÑO: Celebrate Latino heritage with family, friends, and community this holiday season at Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center (2800 Archwood Ave.) on Saturday, December 13 from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. Registration opens December 1 for families who wish to attend and receive a special gift from Santa. Volunteers, toy donors, and event sponsors are also invited to help spread the holiday spirit. Contact us at info@juliadeburgos.org or call (216) 894-5664 with questions.

QUEER THE HALLS: Join the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland on Saturday, December 6 from 10 am to 4 pm for its annual LGBTQ+ artisan market. Like last year, the event will be held at both The LGBT Center (6705 Detroit Ave.) and the Near West Theatre across the street, to accommodate growing demand. For more information, visit lgbtcleveland.org/queer-the-halls.

HOUSING

FREE EVICTION HELP: You may qualify for free legal representation at your eviction hearing if you have at least one minor child in your household and meet income guidelines. Call the Legal Aid Society at 216-861-5835 or apply online at lasclev.org to find out if you are eligible for free legal help. The sooner you call, the more a lawyer can do for you.

IF YOU NEED SHELTER contact Cuyahoga County’s Coordinated Intake office at 216-674-6700. Hours of operation: 8 am – 8 pm, Monday – Friday. After hours and weekends, please call 2-1-1 for an on-call Coordinated Intake representative. If it is after hours, women in need of assistance may also go directly to Norma Herr Women’s Center (2227 Payne Ave.) and staff will assist you in contacting Coordinated Intake the following day.

PETS

PROJECT CARE: The mission of project CARE (Community Animal Retention Effort) is to provide support for pet owners with the goal of helping owners retain their pets during times of hardship. Services offered to residents in the Project CARE area include: low-cost spaying/neutering, one-time emergency medical assistance through our Peticaid program (restrictions apply), low-cost flea treatment/prevention, and emergency pet food assistance, as needed. Interested in learning more about Project CARE or volunteering? Reach out to our team at projectCARE@clevelandapl.org or call 216-255-5022.

STRUGGLING TO CARE FOR YOUR PET? LOST YOUR DOG? THINKING OF ADDING A NEW PUP TO YOUR FAMILY? We can help! Visit clepups.com to link up with a variety of services to help you on your pet ownership journey. For lost dogs, you may also call the kennel directly at 216-664-3069. The Cleveland Kennel is located at 9203 Detroit Ave.

RESOURCES

FOOD BANK RESOURCE CENTER: The Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s new Community Resource Center (15500 South Waterloo Rd.) is a one-stop shop for community members where they can find food assistance and a variety of resources from our community partners to help with things like housing, employment, and healthcare. For more information, call our help center at 216-738-2067 or email RaNesha Thomas at rthomas@clevelandfoodbank.org.

FREE STATE IDS: Ohioans 17 and older are now eligible for a free state ID if they don’t have a valid driver’s license. To obtain a new ID, visit your local BMV and bring along documents that confirm your basic information, like name, address, date of birth and social security number. When it’s time to renew your free state ID, you can either visit the BMV or do it online. To renew or to see a full list of documents you’ll need to bring, visit bmv.ohio.gov.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE

HEAP WINTER CRISIS PROGRAM: Is your power disconnected or about to be shut off? The Home Energy Assistance Program’s Winter Crisis Program, administered by Step Forward, may be able to help! This program provides a one-time benefit per heating season to help eligible Cuyahoga County households restore or maintain heat and electric service during the winter months. Households at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (about $52,500 for a family of four) may qualify if their service has been disconnected, they have received a disconnection notice, or they have 25% or less bulk fuel remaining in their tank. Assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is designed to help households stay safe and warm throughout the winter season. Call (216) 480-HEAP (4327) to schedule an appointment or visit stepforwardtoday.org/winter-crisis-program to learn more. The program runs from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR WATER OR SEWER BILLS? CHN Housing Partners can assist you in finding the right program and applying. Call CHN at 216-774-2349 or go to chnhousingpartners.org/housing-services/utility-assistance/  to schedule an appointment.

VOLUNTEER

THE KIDS’ BOOK BANK, a local nonprofit that gives high-quality, gently used children’s books to organizations of all sizes that then distribute them to children and families in need, has a variety of volunteer opportunities available. Help us sort, process and package books in our new westside warehouse (13913 W Parkway Rd.), host a book drive in your community, assist families in choosing free books to take home at various events, and more. Visit kidsbookbank.org for more info or contact us at volunteer@kidsbookbank.org or 216-417-1803.

TAX SITE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Cuyahoga EITC Coalition is looking for volunteer tax preparers and intake specialists for the 2025-2026 tax season to help hardworking taxpayers file their taxes for free. Just one hour of your time can provide up to $6,900 in EITC refunds and save someone hundreds of dollars in paid preparation fees. To learn more or to sign up to become a volunteer, visit refundohio.org/volunteer.