Dublin Food Pantry
Julie Erwin Rinaldi
June 2025
Dublin Food Pantry: Fulfilling a Mission of Nourishment, Dignity, and Hope
For four decades, PDS Planning has committed itself to more than financial guidance; we have always believed deeply in making meaningful contributions to our community. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, this commitment shines through a special charitable initiative focused on community, compassion, and connection.
40th Anniversary Charitable Initiative
As part of this milestone, we’re excited to spotlight three remarkable nonprofits selected by our team, each deeply aligned with causes we passionately support. Through your votes, one of these organizations will receive a $10,000 donation, while each runner-up will receive $1,000.
This month, we’re proud to highlight the Dublin Food Pantry, a community-based organization dedicated to providing food, and essential resources to individuals and families facing food insecurity in the Dublin, Ohio area.
Filling Hearts and Carts
At the heart of Dublin, Ohio, a quiet but powerful movement is growing, one grocery cart at a time. The Dublin Food Pantry, under the leadership of Executive Director Julie Erwin Rinaldi, is not just fighting food insecurity; it’s working to change the narrative around what a food pantry can be.
“We’re not just handing out food,” says Erwin Rinaldi. “We’re delivering hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. Every person who walks through our doors deserves respect and compassion.”
Since its humble beginnings in a church closet over 50 years ago, the Dublin Food Pantry has evolved into a cornerstone of support for thousands of individuals and families in need who are residents of Dublin, Ohio or live within the Dublin City School District.
Today, the Dublin Food Pantry calls 6608 Dublin Center Drive home, offering its families a modern, client-centered experience. “We designed it to feel like a market – bright, open, and welcoming. It tells our clients: You matter.”
Nourishing Neighbors in Need
Hunger is more than an empty stomach; it impacts every aspect of life. Imagine a child sitting in a classroom, unable to focus because they haven’t had breakfast, or a parent working multiple jobs, struggling to make ends meet while worrying about their family’s next meal.
While there may be a perception that there is not need in this affluent suburb, in 2024, the Dublin Food Pantry served 11,022 households and provided 656,178 meals. This is 35,070 more meals than in 2023 and includes a staggering 3,900 children under the age of 18 who received the nourishment needed to learn, grow, and thrive. The need is real.
“We’re not talking about strangers,” Julie emphasizes. “These are our neighbors, our children’s classmates, people working two jobs and still struggling. The face of food insecurity is changing, and we must respond with both urgency and empathy.”
A Holistic Approach to Hunger
The Dublin Food Pantry’s approach is both strategic and compassionate, focusing not just on access to food, but also on community partnerships, health equity, and long-term sustainability. Collaborations with local businesses, schools, and civic groups strengthen the pantry’s reach and deepen its roots in the community.
In April, Dublin Food Pantry became the latest agency to join the Mid-Ohio Farmacy program as a distribution partner, bringing better access to fresh, healthy food to pantry customers in northwest Franklin County. This is just one of their innovative “Food is Medicine” initiatives to ensure nutritious food goes hand in hand with improving overall health and well-being.
Looking to the Future
The pantry’s future is full of promise. With the new facility and continued community support, Julie and her team hope to serve up to 100,000 individuals annually, while also expanding services like mobile pantries and wellness programming.
“Food is the first step,” Julie says. “But our vision goes beyond. We want to be a hub for connection, growth, and for dignity. That’s the kind of community we all deserve.”
PDS Planning is proud to support the Dublin Food Pantry as part of its 40th Anniversary Celebration. As a firm that believes deeply in empowering futures and elevating purpose-driven organizations, PDS recognizes the pantry’s role as more than just a community resource—it is a beacon of hope.
“It means the world to us when local businesses like PDS Planning step forward in meaningful ways,” says Julie. “They’re not just writing a check—they’re standing with us, shoulder to shoulder, to serve our neighbors.”
Vote Now and Make a Difference!
Between now and October 31st, PDS Planning invites clients, friends, and our extended community to participate actively. Cast your vote daily for the charity you’d most like to support. Your involvement is a simple yet impactful way to help nonprofits like the Dublin Food Pantry continue their invaluable work.
A $10,000 donation through the PDS Planning 40th Anniversary campaign would help the Dublin Food Pantry continue their critical operations.
We invite you to learn more about the Dublin Food Pantry and volunteer opportunities by visiting dublinfoodpantry.org.
Remember, every vote, every day, helps make a substantial difference.
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