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This fall, the City of Columbus came together during the Federal shutdown to provide thousands of pounds of non-perishable food items and toiletries for local residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Central Ohio community also weighed in on a couple important city projects, including voting for their favorite mural design on one of the city's pump stations and providing feedback to update Columbus' Climate Action Plan, which will be released in early 2026. |
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City of Columbus staff, led by sustainability staff from the Department of Public Service and Columbus Public Health, stepped up to help our Columbus community as part of the City’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Response Plan due to the Federal shutdown. The team collected, sorted, and distributed over 12,000 pounds of non-perishable food items and toiletries for residents who rely on the SNAP. Multiple giveaways gave Columbus residents a way to feed their families, which was made possible by generous donations from their neighbors and the city’s efforts to distribute those items.
Donations will continue to be accepted at the city’s Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers through a partnership with Columbus Food Rescue and Local Matters. Additionally, pumpkins, yard waste like Christmas trees and leaves, cooking oil from items like fried turkey, and any food scraps that can be composted will be accepted as well at both the Alum Creek Convenience Center located at 2100 Alum Creek Dr. and the Georgesville Convenience Center located at 1550 Georgesville Rd.
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Earlier this year Columbus Water & Power (CWP) and Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed asked the public to help vote on a mural design at a pump station along the Olentangy Bike Trail. Columbus-based designer Andy Clarkson’s “Waves of the Watershed” was voted as the winner and was unveiled in October! The design highlights how deeply our daily lives intertwine with the rivers, trails, and ecosystems around us—and how Columbus Water and Power supports those experiences by working behind the scenes to keep our environment clean, safe, and accessible.
These projects bring color and meaning to utility spaces, transforming them into landmarks that foster neighborhood pride, deter vandalism, and spark conversations about conservation and sustainability. Visit here to learn more about Andy’s mural and the other Pump Station mural called “Full Circle” also located on the Olentangy Bike Trail.
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To keep Columbus on our path to reach a 45% reduction in pollution by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, we are updating the Columbus Climate Action Plan. Over the summer and into fall robust community engagement, including a survey for Columbus residents, enabled residents to give their feedback and help shape the city’s Climate Action Plan goals.
Over 450 residents responded to the survey, with many identifying hotter summers and air quality as top impacts of climate change. More details on the update process were shared at a public hearing held by Columbus City Council on November 13. The final updated Climate Action Plan will be completed and publicly available in early 2026.
The City of Columbus is proud to provide free food and other resources to Franklin County residents on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during two upcoming drive-thru events:
- Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 3-5 p.m. at the Columbus Fire Academy (3639 Parsons Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43207)
- Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 3-5 p.m. at Fort Hayes High School (546 Jack Gibbs Blvd. Columbus, Ohio 43215)
Columbus residents who want to donate for these drive-thru events can drop off items at the Alum Creek Waste and Reuse Center and the Georgesville Waste and Reuse Center. These centers are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We are collecting the following items for donation: canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, rice, beans, chili with beans, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, soups, pasta sauce, diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, toiletries, and hygiene products.
Click here to learn more about the drive-thru events.
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