Food Pantry

Our PUMC Food Pantry is part of a network of food pantries across churches in Lake County.  Clients may visit our pantry once each month and should bring their ID with them for verification.  The PUMC Food Pantry is open on Thursdays from 9am-12pm; access available through the east-side glass doors alongside our church driveway.  For information about other local food pantries, dial 211.  To donate to our food pantry ministry, click here. If you would like to donate canned or boxed food items to our food pantry in person, you can bring them to the church office during normal business hours or between/after Sunday worship services.  (Please ensure your donation has not expired.)  For assistance unloading, please call the church office at 440-354-3642 ahead of your arrival so we can ensure someone is available to help carry items.

Soup Kitchen

Painesville United Methodist Church is part of a rotation of churches serving communities at the local soup kitchen.  The soup kitchen is housed at St. James Episcopal Church at 131 N. State Street.  The PUMC team serves at 1pm on the 3^rd Saturday of the month in the St. James lower level dining room and does so on a volunteer basis.  If you’d like to volunteer for meal prep or serving alongside the PUMC team on the 3^rd Saturday of the month, please contact the PUMC Church Office at 440-354-3642 ahead of time to be put in touch with our Soup Kitchen coordinator.   To volunteer at the Soup Kitchen on other days, the St. James Episcopal Church can be contacted directly at 440-354-3526 for additional information.

Housing

Local homeless shelter Project Hope for the Homeless was actually started here at Painesville United Methodist Church over 30 years ago!  They have grown substantially and now have a dedicated shelter building on Freedom Road in Painesville!   Throughout the year, PUMC prepares meals, collects hygiene products, and delivers snack bags to Project Hope for distribution to their guests.  If you are in need of shelter and would like to reserve a stay in Project Hope, or are seeking additional housing resources, dial 211 to learn about availability, next steps, and alternate housing resources.  To join in supporting Project Hope through one of the above methods, contact the PUMC Church Office at 440-354-3642 for more information on upcoming serving dates or special collections.

Heating/Cooling

The nearest heating/cooling station on severe weather days is the Morley Library, located at 184 Phelps Street.  For hours and information, contact them at 440-352-3383.   For additional information about cooling centers or warming centers throughout Lake County, dial 211.

Transportation

We are pleased to be located near substantial bus transportation routes in the heart of Lake County!   Our closest stop is just a block away on St. Clair Street – but direct door-to-door services can also be reserved.  Bus routes can be accessed by visiting https://laketran.com/.  In addition, Laketran offers some reduced fare programs; you can review these by clicking on the Fares tab and scrolling down to the partner and reduced fare program links.  Some advanced notice may be needed.  For assistance using Laketran, please call 888-525-3872.

Gas

The Painesville United Methodist Church does not distribute gas cards.  If you are in need of assistance with gas, dial 211 for information about possible resources.

Clothing

Painesville United Methodist Church is a collection site for the Hope Chest.  That means that people can donate clothing here and they are delivered to the Hope Chest organization, a non-profit organization that helps people in need get free, gently-used clothing, shopping by private appointment.  A referral is required to shop the Hope Chest, so if you are in a circumstance where you need a referral, you can contact Job & Family Services or you can meet with our church secretary or pastor to discuss your circumstances for possible referral.  If you would like to donate your gently-used clothing items, shoes, coats, or bath towels, you can bring them to the church office during normal business hours or between/after Sunday worship services.  For assistance unloading, please call the church office at 440-354-3642 ahead of your arrival so we can ensure someone is available to help carry items.

For additional assistance with resources/questions not listed here, please dial 211 to speak with staff and discuss your specific situation.