Mobile food pantry to help those in need

At Graceworks Enhanced Living, we are living and breathing the mission of our communities. Even when that means bringing the community spirit to another location! 

Two of our DSPs, Joy Gabriele and Mary Spencer, who work with our Cincinnati Day Program, created a mobile food pantry to help those in need. Through their passion and dedication, they have now inspired a strong partnership with The Collective, a unique thrift store run by a mother and son in Middletown, OH.

The Collective is more than just a thrift store; it serves as a welcoming space where people can sit, socialize, and share a cup of coffee. Thanks to this mobile food pantry, The Collective are now also stocked with food and necessities for the community. 

Joy, Mary, and participants in the Cincinnati Day Program visit the store a couple of times each month to deliver nonperishable goods and restock the shelves.

The initiative goes beyond providing food; it’s about bringing people together, creating connections, and fostering a caring, supportive environment. The Collective’s warm atmosphere encourages community members to gather, share stories, and find comfort in each other's company—aligning perfectly with Graceworks’ message of Faithful Caring.

The efforts of Mary, Joy, and the Cincinnati Day Program participants have already been so successful that they also are now working on establishing a second food pantry! 

This collaborative work highlights how meaningful partnerships can make a difference in the lives of many. At the end of the day, connection isat the heart of Faithful Caring and the center of Caring Communities. 

Together, we’re building stronger, more compassionate communities, one pantry—and one partnership—at a time.