A practical referral guide for advocates serving adults age 18 and older in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Family and maternity programs are included for adult clients with dependents. Programs with a narrower age range are identified. An out-of-county treatment link is labeled when it matters.
Provider, government, and community webpages were reviewed for service descriptions, contact details, and published intake criteria. No provider was called, and bed availability, funding, and appointment capacity were not confirmed in real time.
Immediate danger
911
Life-threatening emergency. Do not wait for routine intake.
Behavioral health crisis
988
Call or text 988. FrontLine local crisis line: 216-623-6888.
Homeless shelter intake
216-674-6700
Coordinated Intake, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Phone only.
After hours
211
Evenings, weekends, and when the first referral cannot help.
Food, groceries, and nutrition benefits
Food, groceries, and nutrition benefits
Greater Cleveland Food Bank
Pantry locator, meal sites, and SNAP application help. Help Center 216-738-2067.
Service
Pantry and meal-site locator, Community Resource Center, and SNAP application assistance.
Eligibility
Adults and households needing food. Individual pantry programs may have income, service-area, or appointment requirements.
Intake
Call 216-738-2067 for a nearby open pantry, meal site, or benefits application help. Ask about food available today, not only the next scheduled distribution.
Confirm before you send someone
Ask about ID, household registration, appointments, mobility access, and delivery. The distribution warehouse is not a substitute for a confirmed client food site.
Hunger Network
Map of food pantries and hot-meal sites.
Service
Network of food pantries and hot-meal sites, including a searchable map and schedule changes.
Eligibility
People needing food. Each location sets its service area and intake details.
Intake
Use Find Food to locate a nearby program, then contact that site before arrival. If online access is a barrier, ask 211 to help identify the location.
Confirm before you send someone
Verify ZIP-code eligibility, current hours, and visit frequency. Check the schedule-change notice as well as the map.
Ohio SNAP
Ongoing food benefits. Ask about expedited processing when food and money are critically low.
Service
Ongoing food-purchasing benefits for eligible households.
Eligibility
Income and household rules apply. The county evaluates all applicable conditions. Ask for screening even if eligibility is uncertain.
Intake
Apply through Ohio Benefits online, by phone through county assistance, or in person at county JFS. Application questions: 1-844-640-6446. Food Bank staff can assist by phone.
Confirm before you send someone
Ask about expedited processing when food and money are critically low. Submit requested verification, complete the interview, and keep proof of submission.