This year’s Season of Warmth Pop-Up Care Village brought together neighbors, volunteers, and community partners in an unforgettable celebration of care and connection, where more than 160 guests found food, warmth, services, and human connection on a cold December afternoon. From haircuts and legal support to winter gear and shared laughter, the event reminded us that community itself can be the heat that carries us through the harshest months.
Read MoreWhen John saw a group of men sharing a meal and laughing together at our food truck, he realized he was witnessing the kind of community he'd been missing. Check out this story about how one simple invitation helped reconnect him to a sense of belonging.
Read MoreFuel more than just items this Giving Tuesday. Funds the moments that make our guests feel seen and encouraged to move towards stability.
Read MoreThis past Monday, we celebrated a special moment in our ongoing partnership with the Hilltop Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The Hilltop staff helped us choose the name for the day’s meal, and their winning pick, Chilltop Chili, captured the personality of the neighborhood. It felt creative, welcoming, and full of heart.
Read MoreAt Make-A-Day, we start with a simple truth: people know what they need to survive, to stabilize, and to move forward.
Read MoreDonations aren’t just about tangible goods. Sometimes what our guests need most is someone to listen, guide them, and open doors they didn’t know existed. Meaningful support goes beyond items and touches lives in deeper ways. Read more to discover how you can make a difference in more ways than one.
Read MoreAs federal relief dollars fade, Make-A-Day is calling on neighbors, businesses, and partners to help keep care close to home. 100 Investors in Hope is a community-powered campaign sustaining meals, outreach, and reentry services across Columbus, one day of care at a time.
Read MoreA mom homeschooling her kids at the library saw the sign that said “expungement applications” and whispered, “I need that.” Hours later, she became the first guest to walk out with her expungement process complete.
Read MoreOn September 25, neighbors across Franklin County gathered for Save A Life Day, a countywide effort to shift the overdose narrative from tragedy to prevention. From the packed room at Linden Fresh Market to the quiet reflection of the memorial table, the day was more than an event. It was a living demonstration of community care in action.
Read MoreAt Make-A-Day, we believe that dignity is universal, but support must be specific. Recently, our outreach team partnered with community leaders, public health workers, and mutual aid providers to bring a street outreach event to a neighborhood outside of our usual routes. It was a chance to listen, to learn, and to serve in ways that honored the strengths already present.
We approached this event not as experts or fixers, but as neighbors. We knew we were stepping into a space with its own history, culture, and networks of support. Our goal was not to replace what was working, but to build relationships and extend our care where it was most needed.
Read MoreWhen Matthew first encountered Make-A-Day, he was struck by the concept of free gourmet meals with no questions asked. What started as a chance encounter quickly became a commitment. Now a familiar face at our Pop-Ups, Matthew leads with quiet care, showing up to serve meals, check in on neighbors, and hand out essentials. Read how one volunteer turned compassion into consistent action.
Read MoreBack in June, Make-A-Day hosted a community Pop-Up event in Columbus, Ohio—an afternoon filled with hospitality, dignity, and human connection. One of the most meaningful additions was a vintage camper parked quietly along the edge of the event. Inside it? Toothbrushes, clothes, diapers, snacks, soap—and so much love. That trailer belongs to Paige Johnston, founder of The Boundless Trailer, who drove 8 hours to be there. But the supplies aren’t the whole story. What’s inside that trailer—and what drives it—is something much deeper.
Read MoreSome days change lives quietly. At our Mindful Connections Pop-Up, 91 neighbors accessed housing, healthcare, recovery support, food security, and more, all in a single afternoon. From starting housing paperwork to getting a haircut before a job interview, every moment built momentum toward stability.
Read MoreOne year as Executive Director at Make-A-Day. In 12 months, we’ve served 14,800 guests, delivered 12,000 meals, supported hundreds in housing and services, and launched bold new initiatives like Move the Box. The numbers matter, but it’s the moments of dignity, connection, and change that keep us moving forward.
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