Churches Active in Northside - CAIN

Feeding Bodies & Souls

aka Grace Place   |   Cincinnati, OH   |  www.cainministry.org

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 info

1992

Executive Director

Mrs. Melissa Meyer

Main address

4230 Hamilton Ave

Cincinnati, OH 45223 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

31-1341556

NTEE code info

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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.

Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Unemployed people

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.

Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people

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.

Population(s) Served
Homeless people
Families

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

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

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

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.

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.

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Churches Active in Northside - CAIN
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • 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 directors
as of 07/26/2021
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 7/26/2021

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:

Gender identity
Female

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data