Frequently Asked Questions
How Does SEM Food Pantry Work?
We’ve had some questions about how our pantry operates — here’s a quick overview:
SEM Food Pantry is an Emergency Food Source Choice Pantry, which means our neighbors can visit once every 30 days. We don’t provide a full month’s worth of groceries, but enough to help bridge the gap — often alongside SNAP benefits or other assistance.
Eligibility:
In Ohio, income eligibility for food assistance is determined by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Any household living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level is eligible. These income guidelines are updated annually by ODJFS and are based on family size. Our clients affirm that their household meets these guidelines.
What We Provide:
We offer a variety of shelf-stable foods, including:
Pasta and pasta sauce
Macaroni and cheese
Canned beans, dry beans and dry rice
Canned meats and tuna
Canned vegetables and fruits
Peanut butter, jelly, and bread
Soup and cereal
Cleaning supplies like dish soap, laundry detergent, bar soap, and toilet paper
In addition, we receive donated food from local retail partners, such as fresh produce, bakery items and frozen meat. What we have available can vary from day to day.
What to Expect:
Neighbors (Clients) call to schedule an appointment with the Client Interface.
Upon arrival, neighbors check in with the Client Interface and confirm their income eligibility.
A client assistant shops alongside them, helping select food based on family size and what their family enjoys eating.
Once finished, the client assistant helps pack and carry food to the car.
Need an appointment?
Call us at 513-231-1412
We’re open:
Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesday Evening: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
There have been some questions about the phrase:
“SEM is a major supplier of emergency food to people in Eastern Hamilton County and Clermont County.”
For decades, SEM Food Pantry primarily served families in those two counties. We’ve always encouraged neighbors to visit food pantries closer to their homes — and we’re grateful there are so many wonderful pantries and churches ready to help.
But as of the end of 2024, SEM Food Pantry officially opened our doors to anyone who qualifies financially — no matter where you live.
In 2025, we served families from Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, Highland, Clinton, Warren, Butler, and Preble counties, as well as Campbell County, Kentucky.
One we hear often is:
🗣️ “I don’t have a car. Can I come with my neighbor, friend, family member, or church to the pantry?”
✅ Yes! Just let us know.
If we know you’re coming together, we’ll schedule you in the same time slot, and each household will count as its own household — meaning everyone receives food. 🥫🍎
Another great question:
🗣️ “I can’t come to the pantry. Can my neighbor, friend, family member, or church pick up food for me?”
✅ Yes, they can!
We just need:
✍️ A written note naming them as your proxy
🪪 A photocopy of their ID
💵 Validation that you meet the income requirements
We want to make sure everyone who qualifies has access to
Do I need to make an appointment?
At SEM Food Pantry, we can serve 4 households every 15 minutes.
This is based on our available volunteers, carts, and space.
Sometimes, we have to post a “No Walk-Ins” sign when we’ve reached our capacity for the day.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding!
We don’t want anyone to travel to SEM Food Pantry only to find that we’re already booked for that shift, so please call (513-231-1412) ahead to schedule an appointment.
Each shopping visit takes about 30 minutes — after that, carts and volunteers become available for the next group of neighbors
Is the food at SEM Food Pantry free?
We’ve heard this question a few times — and yes, the food is free for our neighbors who shop at SEM Food Pantry!
However, while there is no cost to our neighbors, we do purchase all of the shelf-stable foods and cleaning supplies that we provide. Other items, like fresh produce, bakery goods, and frozen meats, are donated from local partners when available.
Every can, box, and jar represents the generosity of our community — helping us continue our mission of neighbors helping neighbors.
If you would like to donate, please visit our site semfoodpantry.org or donations can be dropped off at
SEM Food Pantry
2020 Beechmont Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45230
Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesday Evening: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
How is SEM Food Pantry supported? 🤝
SEM Food Pantry is blessed to be supported through monetary donations, volunteer time, and food contributions from our incredible community — neighbors like you, our supporting churches, and local partners and businesses.
💒 Supporting Churches:
Anderson Hills Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Anderson Hills Church
Calvin Presbyterian
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Crossroads Eastside
Guardian Angels
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Mt. Moriah United Methodist
Mt. Washington Baptist
Mt. Washington Presbyterian
Mt. Washington United Methodist
St. Thomas More
St. Veronica
🏬 Community Partners:
Target Beechmont • Target Oakley • La Soupe • Kroger Ohio Pike
Walmart Amelia • Aldi Beechmont • Aldi Eastgate
Crumbl Cookies Beechmont • United Dairy Farmers (Burney, Batavia, Newtown, Skytop, Withamsville, Amelia, 8-Mile & Clough, Erie & Marburg, Oakley, Wilmer, Terrace Park, Madisonville, Mt. Lookout)
Last Mile
💛 And of course, our friends of SEM — the local businesses and families who give regularly to help feed our neighbors in need.
Norwell Ryther Giving Account
Skyler G. Photography
Anderson Hills Women's Club
Apartment Assoc Outreach Inc.
Roux B Music
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Kiwanis Club of Anderson Hills
TP White Funeral Home
Forcht Bank
Harmony Assisted Living
American Legion 484
Union Savings Bank
Romar Management
Together, you make it possible for SEM to continue serving our community with compassion and dignity. Thank you!
“Make an appointment!”
We get asked all the time — so here’s how it works 💛
Call 513-231-1412 before 9:00 AM — we’ll call you back before 10:00 AM when we open.
🗓️ Appointments can only be made 24 hours in advance:
Call Monday → schedule for Mon, Tues, or Tues night
Call Wednesday → schedule for Wed or Thurs
💻 Or message us at semfoodpantry@gmail.com or semfoodpantry.org/contact-us
Include your name, day, and time (appointments every 15 minutes starting at 10:00 AM).
We can’t wait to see you!
Our Partners
SEM Food Pantry partners with the FreeStore FoodBank to secure the majority of the food that is distributed to our clients. We also have commercial partners that provide a substantial amount of groceries to us. Many other business, civic, and religious groups hold food drives throughout the year to help stock our shelves, and several churches in the area also provide monetary assistance.
