Churches Active in Northside - CAIN
Feeding Bodies & Souls
Mission
CAIN Mission: Connecting our community to challenge poverty by feeding bodies and souls. CAIN Vision: Guided by faith, we shape the future by inspiring hope and satisfying basic hungers. CAIN Values: We recognize our social and moral responsibility to help people impacted by poverty. We show our love of God, our neighbors, and our neighborhood by: • Respecting everyone’s human dignity. • Demonstrating empathy, inclusion, and respect in every interaction. • Appreciating the worth and diversity of all people. • Expressing compassion and kindness in all we do. • Addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual hungers of our guests. • Fostering community connections.
Notes from the nonprofit
Two program focus areas make CAIN unique: hospitality and healthy food. CAIN is committed to hospitality and making sure each person who visits its exemplary Rainbow Choice Food Pantry feels respected and valued. Our hope is that every person – guest, volunteer, donor, staff, and visitor - leaves with a deeper sense of faith, hope and love. Listening has been called one of the highest forms of hospitality. The stories we hear are of health issues (both physical and mental), family struggles, housing problems, job situations (both unemployment and underemployment) and effects of violence. Both ‘guests’ and ‘hosts’ enjoy their time together. It is very common to hear laughing and to see hugs. To a person in a challenging situation, this support often means the difference between despair and hope.
CAIN’s “Healthy Food for All” Initiative increases access to healthy, high-quality, nutrient-dense, safe food for food insecure families in Northside. CAIN continues to pursue ways to make sure that guests receive the most nutritious food that we can offer, as well as educate and empower guests to grow and preserve their own food. CAIN has adopted the “Rainbow of Colors” system developed by The Ohio State University Extension which arranges shelf items to educate and encourage pantry guests about healthy food choices.
Ruling year
1992
Executive Director
Mrs. Melissa Meyer
Main address
4230 Hamilton Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45223 USA
EIN
31-1341556
NTEE code
Food Banks, Food Pantries (K31)
Emergency Assistance (Food, Clothing, Cash) (P60)
Homeless Services/Centers (P85)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The true measure of CAIN's effectiveness is its focus on supporting those who struggle most. CAIN is a life-line for residents of Northside, South Cumminsville and Mt. Airy. In 2020, 2,047 different families of 1,928 adults and 1,13 children received food, personal care, household cleaning and other necessities through our Rainbow Choice Food Pantry. There were a total of 8199 visits which touched 13,893 people. On Monday evenings, on average 100 guests received a nourishing meal from Phil’s Place carry out – totaling over 10,000 meals served over 2019-2020. Our Grace Place Shelter, in cooperation with Interfaith Hospitality Network, hopes to shelter families by the end of the year. IHN was unable to use the shelter in 2020 due to the pandemic. CAIN is a service hub – connecting those who seek help with resources and support. CAIN feeds bodies and souls.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
CAIN Rainbow Choice Pantry
CAIN’s Choice Pantry provides low-income individuals and families with basic necessities like food; emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities; household and hygiene items; diapers; transportation assistance and referrals for furniture and baby items. CAIN meets with each person individually to assess situation and offer support, encouragement and guidance.
Phil's Place Community Meal
Phil’s Place is a free community weekly dinner that provides food, fosters a sense of belonging and builds community. An average of 85 community members are served each week by a dedicated team of volunteers from area churches and service organizations.
In addition to feeding bodies, Phil’s Place feeds hearts and souls as guests and volunteers interact and support one another. In a safe and friendly atmosphere, people feel cared for, affirmed, and better able to face their situation. Hugs and laughter are commonplace at Phil’s Place. To a person in a challenging situation, this support often means the difference between despair and hope. CAIN is a life-line for low income residents of 45223 City of Cincinnati neighborhoods: Northside, Mt. Airy, and South Cumminsville.
Grace Place Shelter for Families
Grace Place offers temporary housing without cost to women and children. Since summer of 2016, CAIN and the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of Greater Cincinnati began a collaborative effort in the use of Grace Place to provide shelter to families with children in transition from homelessness.
Where we work
Awards
Agency of the Year 2004
Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (now Feed America)
Best Community-Wide Yard Sale (CAIN coordinates annual Northside Yard Sale) 2008
“Best of the City” by Cincinnati Magazine 2008
Top-Rated Food and Shelter Non-Profit 2010
GreatNonProfits
Top-Rated Food and Shelter Non-Profit 2009
GreatNonProfits
Top-Rated Food and Shelter Non-Profit 2011
GreatNonProfits
Top-Rated Food and Shelter Non-Profit 2012
Great Non Profits
Top-Rated Non-Profit 2013
Greatnonprofits.org
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people within the organization's service area accessing food aid
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
CAIN Rainbow Choice Pantry
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
2018: 2339 is unduplicated count of people in 1065 unduplicated households. Duplicated count is 10577 people in 4710 households.
Number of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Phil's Place Community Meal
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
An average of 110 guests are served each week. (In 2020, we switched to carry out meals due to the pandemic.)
Number of households who receive assistance filing federal income taxes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
CAIN Rainbow Choice Pantry
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2018, our guests received a total of $150,422 in federal and state refunds. Based on the average for profit filing fee of $210, we saved our guests $27,090 in filing fees as well.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
RAINBOW CHOICE PANTRY: continue to meet the need for emergency assistance and other services by meeting and exceeding best practices.
OTHER:
Operate Grace Place Shelter for Families
Complete Renovations to Annette's House adjacent to CAIN for additional programming
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Recruit and secure necessary human and financial resources to bring projects to fruition.
Collaborate with non-profit partner (Inter-faith Hospitality Network) to manage Grace Place.
Seek individual donors, grant funding, church and denominational sponsorship and in-kind donations for Hospitality House.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
For the past ten years, CAIN has made the "Top-Rated Food and Shelter Nonprofit" list hosted by Guidestar, Great Nonprofits, Feeding America, and the National Coalition for the Homeless, among others (www.greatnonprofits.org/foodandshelter/).
In 2004, CAIN was selected as the "Member Agency of the Year" for the Freestore Foodbank region by the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. In 2010, CAIN's Executive Director was part of the inaugural class of the Freestore's Leadership Institute for member agencies.
CAIN is the model for several inter-denominational emergency assistance centers that bring churches together to assist their neighbors and neighborhoods.
CAIN's success is due in large part to the dedicated staff and volunteers. CAIN hired a new Executive Director and developed our strategic plan which helps guide the future.
CAIN also hosts Ignatian Volunteer Corps Long-term volunteer(s), UC Work Study Student(s), and an AmeriCorps VISTA member.
CAIN has a 20 plus-year formal history of serving emergency needs and planting the seeds of hope for Northside's most vulnerable citizens. CAIN has effectively built on a broad range of community support to achieve substantial outcomes for our community.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
PANTRY:
Quantitative: To date, CAIN has managed to meet the growing demands for its assistance. In 1993, CAIN served 70 families each month. In 2020, more than 500 families received help from CAIN each month.
GRACE PLACE: Welcomed 58 families of 65 adults and 97 children in 2018.
HOSPITALITY HOUSE: The Hospitality House Campus Expansion includes renovation of adjacent property and extension of the existing food pantry storage area. This will has improved and increased healthy food offerings and offer other supportive services to those living at and below poverty level in 45223, and will provide space for programs and services, targeted for households at or below 200% poverty level.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Churches Active in Northside - CAIN
Board of directorsas of 07/26/2021
Mr. Mike Barnett
St. Clare
Term: 2017 - 2020
Stephen DePoe
Clifton United Methodist Church
Sam Foulkes
Clovernook Braille Printing House, Northside Resident
Pat Jaeger
Northside Christian / Ret. UC
Steve / Lisa Lemen
Christ Church Cathedral
Pamela Miller
Clifton United Methodist Church
Joan Pirone
St. Clare / Ret. CPA
Dan Price
Cincinnati State
Valerie Walker
Truth Destiny Covenant Ministries UCC
JoAnn Wieghaus
St. Boniface / Ret Teacher
Lucy Crane
United Way / Ret.
Jean Krebs
Anthem
Ron Mosby
Ekklesia
Diane Ritter
School Administrator/Ret.
Jackie Sieve
Janet Tepe
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
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