The Reporting Project is a community resource, built with the goal of informing Licking County with the news that matters most to them. Using facts and empathy, The Reporting Project strives to not just relay information, but information that serves a purpose.
That’s why The Reporting Project is unveiling a new Community Resource Calendar, a calendar filled with low- to no-barrier resources that community members can use to receive assistance with food, access to healthcare, veterans services and more.
During the federal government shutdown in November 2025, Licking County saw over 19,000 residents lose access to their SNAP benefits. Brewsky’s Drive-Thru co-owner Akash Acharya watched his homemade care packages fly off the shelves. Licking County Food Pantry Network Funds Development Director Alyssa Shepard heard from food pantries that dozens of new families had walked through their doors, and that some food pantries struggled to keep up with demand.
It wasn’t just the pantries noticing increases: The Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Community Drop-In Center reached their highest number of visitors yet. In late 2025, over 60 people consistently stopped by for lunch every day. The Newark Homeless Outreach witnessed similar increases in visitors.
Food insecurity goes hand in hand with increased barriers to healthcare. The Family Health Services of East Central Ohio reported that in 2024, 32% of patients did not have health insurance. Without the clinic, that 32% would have to pay out of pocket for care, or not receive it at all.
How can Licking County residents get information about all of these resources in one place? That’s what The Reporting Project’s Community Resource Calendar is for. Residents can view the calendar and see the dates, times and locations for services offered throughout the county on The Reporting Project Website.
This calendar is a work in progress. Resources and their availability are constantly changing. Reporters with The Reporting Project will reach out to these resources to keep their hours of operation updated and correct for Licking County Residents.
See a resource that isn’t on this calendar? Let us know by emailing thereportingproject@denison.edu or TRP Managing Editor Julia Lerner lernerj@denison.edu.
Breakfast at the Main Place
The Main Place 112 S. 3rd Street, NewarkBreakfast at the Community Drop-In Center
Community Drop-In Center 592 W. Main Street, NewarkFree clinic of Licking County at the Community Drop-In Center
Community Drop-In Center 592 W. Main Street, NewarkLunch at the Main Place
The Main Place 112 S. 3rd Street, NewarkLunch at the Salvation Army
Salvation Army 250 E. Main Street, NewarkFree clinic of Licking County
Licking Metropolitan Housing Authority 144 W. Main Street, NewarkLunch at the Community Drop-In Center
Community Drop-In Center 592 W. Main Street, NewarkDinner at the Salvation Army
Salvation Army 250 E. Main Street, NewarkDinner at the Champion’s Network
Faith Church 261 E Main Street, NewarkMaddie Luebkert writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.