A Season of Grace for Our Neighbors

The lights are twinkling at the Cincinnati Zoo. The ice rink on Fountain Square is packed. The Queen City looks magical this December. But walk a few blocks north into Over-the-Rhine. You will see a different reality.

We are facing a crisis hidden in plain sight. Hamilton County saw 6,489 people experience homelessness in the last recorded year. That is a staggering 7.5% increase from previous years. This surge was fueled by a punishing 15% spike in local rent prices between January 2024 and January 2025.

Many of us want to help. We often default to the same massive organizations. We drop a coin in a red kettle. We drop a can of corn in a barrel. Those gestures matter. Yet there is a specific ecosystem of smaller heroes in downtown Cincinnati. They need precise items you might never consider.

This year requires a smarter approach to giving. We must focus on dignity, hygiene, and mental health. Here is how you can target your impact where it is needed most.

The Oasis of Dignity: Mary Magdalen House

Most people assume homeless individuals just need food. Mary Magdalen House knows they need to feel human. Located on Republic Street, this organization provides a rare sanctuary. They offer hot showers and laundry services.

They provided over 21,000 showers and cleaned 21,000 loads of laundry last year alone. They serve the "street homeless" population. These are neighbors who have nowhere else to wash before a job interview or a doctor’s appointment.

Their need for 2025 is not what you expect. They need underwear. Donors frequently give used coats. Almost no one thinks to buy a new pack of boxers. Their most urgent shortage is new men’s boxers in sizes Medium through XL. They also need men’s jeans in waist sizes 30 through 34.

Drop a pack of Hanes off at their red door. You are not just giving clothing. You are giving someone the confidence to face the day.

The Living Room of OTR: Our Daily Bread

Hunger is a volume game. Our Daily Bread is winning it. They sit right across from Findlay Market. They do more than hand out a sack lunch. They function as a social center for guests to find warmth and community.

The numbers are staggering. They served 199,842 meals last year. That averages out to over 600 meals every single day.

Their "Holiday Wishlist" is surprisingly specific. They need large canisters of powdered creamer and sugar. Coffee is a lifeline for their guests during the winter. It provides warmth and energy. The kitchen runs through massive amounts of sugar and creamer daily.

You can visit their "Donation Door" on Goose Alley. Drop off the industrial-sized creamer you bought at Costco. It is a direct injection of comfort into the community.

The Key to Stability: Tender Mercies

Housing is only the first step. Tender Mercies focuses on the hardest retention battle. They serve homeless adults with severe mental illness. This demographic makes up nearly 29% of the local homeless population.

Tender Mercies acquires buildings in OTR. They transform them into permanent housing. They boast a 99% success rate in keeping residents housed. That is a miracle statistic in the world of social work.

Their residents are moving into rooms that are often their first permanent home in years. They need the basics to set up a household. Their top requests are twin sheet sets and full-size bath towels.

A set of sheets represents ownership. It signifies a place where they can finally rest.

The Heavy Hitters Still Need You

The hyper-local approach is vital. We also cannot ignore the massive infrastructure of our city's largest providers.

• The Freestore Foodbank: Your dollar goes furthest here. Their purchasing power turns $1 into 3 meals.

• St. Vincent de Paul: They are the kings of coat distribution. Check your closet for gently used winter gear to donate.

• The Salvation Army: The Angel Tree program is the best way to ensure a specific child wakes up to a toy on Christmas morning.

Your Move

The statistics are daunting. The number 6,489 feels overwhelming. But you do not have to fix the whole system. You just have to fill one specific gap.

Buy the boxers. Buy the sugar. Buy the sheets.

Cincinnati is known for its grit. Let’s make sure this holiday season is known for its grace.