Portage County

Local offices in Portage County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · County office

  Portage County Job and Family Services, Public Assistance

  449 S. Meridian St., 2nd Floor, Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • Public benefitsGet help applying for food, cash, child care, and Medicaid benefits.Apply online
  Call 330-297-3750DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagecounty-oh.gov

• Public health · County office

  Portage County Health District WIC

  999 E. Main St., Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition supportEligible families can get food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.
  Call 330-297-9422DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagehealth.net

• Child support · County office

  Portage County Child Support Enforcement Agency

  449 S. Meridian St., Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • Child support servicesGet help with child support payments and support orders.
  Call 330-297-3791DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagecounty-oh.gov

• Housing help · County office

  Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority

  2832 State Route 59, Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • Public housing and rental assistanceAsk about public housing and rental assistance for eligible Portage County residents.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 330-297-1489DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on portagehousing.org

• Public health · County office

  Portage County Health District

  999 E. Main St., Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • Public health servicesGet information and help with local public health programs and services.Read more
  Call 330-296-9919DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagehealth.net

• Local office · Regional office

  2-1-1 Portage

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall any time to find local help with health, housing, food, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211portage.org

• Older adults · Regional office

  Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities

  1949 Town Park Blvd., Uniontown, OH 44685

  Help here

  • Aging and disability supportGet help finding long-term care, transportation, meals, and other support services.Read more
  Call 877-770-5558DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhad.org

• Veterans · County office

  Portage County Veterans Service Commission

  466 S. Chestnut St., Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • Veterans assistanceVeterans and their dependents can ask for help during hardship and get connected to benefits and services.
  Call 330-297-3545DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagecounty-oh.gov

• Emergency help · County office

  Portage County Emergency Management Agency

  2978 State Route 59, Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • Emergency preparednessGet local emergency preparedness information and guidance.
  Call 330-297-3607DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagecounty-oh.gov

• Jobs and training · County office

  OhioMeansJobs Portage County

  253 S. Chestnut St., Ravenna, OH 44266

  Help here

  • Job search and career helpUse job search tools and get help with resumes, training, and finding work.
  Call 330-296-2841DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagecounty-oh.gov

• Library · Regional office

  Portage County District Library

  Help here

  • Library servicesGet a library card and use books, digital resources, programs, and outreach services.Apply online
  Call 330-527-5082Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portagelibrary.org

Portage County, Ohio website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals in Portage County, closest to the center of Kent first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  St. John Paul II Ozanam Center

  Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cleveland

  25 miles from the center of Kent

  8328 Broadway Ave, Cleveland, OH 44105

  Hours

  • Sat9 AM to 12 PM

  Who can come: Anyone in need

  What to bring: No ID or proof of income required.

  Call 216-271-4242DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on svdpcle.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Southwest Ozanam Center

  Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cleveland

  27 miles from the center of Kent

  2145 Broadview Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109

  Hours

  • Tue10 AM to 1 PM
  • Thu10 AM to 1 PM
  • Sat10 AM to 1 PM

  Who can come: Anyone in need

  What to bring: No ID or proof of income required.

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on svdpcle.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  United Hearts Life Mission Ctr

  27 miles from the center of Kent

  3339 Broadview Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109

  Hours

  • Mon9 AM to 1 PM
  Directions

  Listed on greaterclevelandfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Brookside Hunger Center

  Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cleveland

  27 miles from the center of Kent

  3764 Pearl Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109

  Hours

  • Mon9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Fri9:30 AM to 12:30 PM

  Who can come: Anyone in need

  What to bring: No ID or proof of income required.

  Call 216-541-1444DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on svdpcle.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Redeemer Crisis Center

  28 miles from the center of Kent

  2970 W 30th St, Cleveland, OH 44113

  Hours

  • Mon10 AM to 1 PM

  Who can come: Call for service area information

  Directions

  Listed on greaterclevelandfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  St. Augustine Hunger Center

  29 miles from the center of Kent

  1400 Howard Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113

  Hours

  • Mon11 AM to 12:30 PM. Lunch
  Directions

  Listed on greaterclevelandfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Portage County

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Cities and towns in Portage County

• Aurora
• Garrettsville
• Hiram
• Kent
• Mantua
• Ravenna
• Streetsboro
• Sugar Bush Knolls
• Windham

Ohio programs by kind of help

These are run by Ohio and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• HealthCare.gov

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.

  Call 1-800-318-2596
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026