Extending a Hand —
Making an Impact
There is no greater evidence of Trinity Cathedral’s mission to proclaim in word and action God’s justice, love and mercy for all creation than when we seek to meet the needs of our neighbors through hunger ministries, community outreach and social justice initiatives.
Hunger Ministries
Feeding Those in Need
Trinity’s hunger ministries help feed those in need in our community. The Urban Farm helps feed the hungry in the Central neighborhood with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. A Place at the Table provides a nutritious lunch to our neighbors who need it.
A Place at the Table
Launched in 1983, A Place at the Table (APATT) provides hot, nutritious meals each Sunday at noon for those in need. The ministry of APATT is made possible by volunteers from Trinity, the Diocese of Ohio, and various community and faith-based groups, and through the generous financial support of Trinity members and granting organizations. Trinity is the only lunch program that serves those in need on Sunday afternoons in the downtown area, and this program has never missed serving a Sunday lunch in over 40 years. These meals are served in Cathedral Hall, providing a respite from the elements for those in need, if even for a short time.
Volunteers are needed periodically to fill in or join existing serving teams, and we are always grateful for financial donations to support Trinity’s various hunger ministries. APATT is supported by Trinity Cathedral’s Congregational Life mission team.
Urban Farm
Trinity’s Urban Farm is an innovative urban garden dedicated to sustainable practices, local art, and faithful stewardship of God’s creation. Founded in 2006 on the corner of E. 35th St. and Cedar Ave, less than one mile from the cathedral, the Urban Farm grows organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs for use in local hunger programs.
On average, the farm yields 2,500–3,500 pounds of food each year with nearly 20 tons of food donated since its inception. The harvest has included collard greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, kale, blackberries, peaches, spinach, green beans, eggplant, basil, oregano, chives and much more. Currently, the harvest goes directly to The Friendly Inn Settlement’s free food pantry program in our neighborhood, making this a true farm-to-table initiative.
The farm is supported by Trinity’s Neighborhood Partnership mission team and sustained by a team of volunteers that gather on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. These volunteers nurture the garden and assist with planting, watering, harvesting, mowing, trimming, weeding, raking and more.
Neighborhood Partnerships
Community Outreach
Just as God came to be in relationship with us, Trinity commits to developing and maintaining reciprocal relationships of support with our local neighbors, especially those in the Central and Campus District neighborhoods.
Marion-Sterling School
This Pre-K through 8th grade Cleveland Metropolitan School District school is located less than a mile from Trinity. Together, we have offered food bank distributions to families, tutoring for children, collected school supplies, distributed Thanksgiving food baskets and collected winter mittens, hats and socks. Trinity members also enjoy purchasing Christmas gifts for students in need at the school.
Over the years, Trinity has developed close relationships with students, teachers and staff to offer opportunities for new congregation members to get to know the community that we serve including teacher appreciation lunches, a letter writing program, and holiday carnivals.
Campus Ministries
Trinity coordinates with students, staff, and faculty at Cleveland State University in support of food-insecure students through the student pantry, mentorship and spiritual support to LGBTQ+ students, vigils and other events in conjunction with their Counseling Center; as well as space use for student groups such as Jummah Prayer and United Protestant Campus Ministries (UPCaM).
The Veterans Center is also housed in Trinity’s building. Trinity Cathedral is also represented in the board for Campus District, which aims to create opportunities that enhance education, improve access to health care, spur real estate and business development, and inspire people to live, work and play in the downtown Cleveland neighborhood.
St. Vincent Charity Medical Center
Trinity is represented on the St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Community Advisory Board, which convenes community leaders to define potential projects to serve Central Neighborhood residents in need.
Campus District
Trinity is represented on the board for Campus District, which aims to create opportunities that enhance education, improve access to health care, spur real estate and business development, and inspire people to live, work and play in the downtown Cleveland neighborhood.