COmmunity Outreach
In the Garden
Every Sunday, Trinity offers a free community lunch at 1:00 p.m. in the Church Undercroft. (During the month of August, sack lunches are served from the Broad St. entrance of the church.) We begin with worship & praise, and then a homemade meal is served. All are welcome! Volunteers are needed to offer hospitality, prepare food, serve the meal, set up, and clean up. Volunteer shifts run from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Lori.
Rental Assistance Kindness Fund : 
Thanks to generous donors, Trinity provides a limited rental assistance to anyone in our community experiencing an emergency eviction or needing help to get off the streets and into a home. Our parishioner, Barb Shoemaker donates her time on Wednesdays from 11-2 to meet with community members in need and arrange the appropriate funding. Please email Barb for an appointment.
For requests or more information, email KindnessFund@TrinityColumbus.org.
Kindness Fund FAQs
Jim and Ida Ginter Kindness Fund was started to support individuals to obtain housing or prevent homelessness. This fund provides contributions towards first month rent and/or deposit for those currently homeless, rental assistance when facing the threat of eviction or mortgage assistance when facing the threat of foreclosure. This fund is available for Trinity Church on Capitol Square parishioners or individuals referred to Trinity who do not have access to other funding streams. We work in partnership with area churches and social service organizations to support individuals experiencing these hardships.
Q: How do I apply for assistance from the Kindness Fund?
A: Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square Kindness Fund receives referrals from community partner programs. We will consider referrals from community based social service agencies, programs and houses of worship such as the following: In the Garden and The Largest Table meal programs at Trinity Episcopal Church, St. John United Church of Christ, sister Episcopal Parishes, Downtown Columbus Inc. (DCI), Mt. Carmel Street Medicine & Southeast Health Care and Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA). When a program case manager or social worker identifies a client who may benefit from a small financial gift from the Kindness Fund to contribute towards a down payment or filling a gap for an overdue rent or mortgage payment they can make a referral to the Kindness Fund. Referrals should be for housing within the 270 beltway.
Q: Does the Kindness Fund help me find housing?
No, the Kindness Fund does not help individuals find housing nor do we have access to housing. When an individual has found a rental location within the 270 beltway, an application can be made for a financial gift toward the down payment or first month’s rent.
Q: How is the funding distributed?
A: When an application is made for assistance, the request is reviewed by the Trinity Episcopal Church rector. If the application is approved and a gift amount determined, a check is prepared, addressed to the landlord or property management and will be signed by church leadership and then mailed using the US Postal Service. This process can take 10-14 days to complete. Arrangements to pick up a check at the Trinity Episcopal office can also be arranged.
Q: I need help with my utility bills. Does the Kindness Fund help to pay for overdue utilities?
A: No, the Kindness Fund does not help with payment for overdue utilities. We recommend you reach out to the utility company directly and talk with them regarding any assistance programs.
Community Partnerships
Trinity participates in B.R.E.A.D. (Building Responsibility Equality and Dignity), a statewide organization comprised of 44 congregations of different faith traditions, who each year identify certain community needs, and build cases to put to city and state officials in an open public forum. Issues on which such overt push for change has been exerted are payday lending, abandoned housing, and affordable housing. For more information about the B.R.E.A.D. Organization, click HERE.
Trinity supports the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless financially and hosts the annual Memorial Service
The Memorial Service is held annually to honor and remember people who have passed away while homeless in Columbus. Held on or near the longest night of the year in December, the service includes inspiring speakers, music, and reading of names of those who died.
CCH also produces the street card (resource list) which Trinity distributes to our unhoused neighbors.
https://www.columbushomeless.org/
RESOURCES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS