When Federal Funding Ends, Community Steps In: Make-A-Day Launches “100 Investors in Hope” to Sustain Local Outreach and Reentry Services | Make-A-Day

Columbus, Ohio — November 3, 2025 — As emergency federal relief dollars expire, Make-A-Day is calling on local partners, small businesses, congregations, and individuals to help sustain critical outreach programs through its new 100 Investors in Hope campaign.

For several years, federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds helped sustain outreach, housing, and public-health programs across Franklin County. Those dollars allowed Make-A-Day to expand its mobile outreach, bring more partners onsite, and meet neighbors where they are, in parking lots, parks, and community spaces, with meals, housing support, and care.

Now those one-time funds have ended. The impact is immediate: fewer resources for meals, fuel, and supplies; tighter staffing; and longer lines at the Make-A-Day food truck each week.

More neighbors are arriving newly unhoused or one paycheck away from crisis, and the organization is determined not to turn anyone away.

“We’re not panicked, but we are moving with purpose,” said Christy Hayes, Executive Director of Make-A-Day. “ARPA funding gave our city time to breathe, but the need never stopped. Now it’s up to the community, the people who see this work firsthand, to keep care close to home.”

A Local Solution: 100 Investors in Hope

The campaign invites 100 partners, businesses, congregations, civic groups, or individuals, to invest $2,500 (or $200 per month) each, funding one full day of Make-A-Day outreach. Every investment covers food, supplies, and the outreach team that powers a “Day of Care.”

At these weekly events, the Make-A-Day food truck rolls into neighborhoods and transforms the space into a temporary community care center. Guests receive a chef-prepared meal, housing or reentry support, and connections to healthcare and legal aid partners.

Food is the starting point, the fellowship that builds trust and opens doors to stability.

What Investors Receive

Each Investor in Hope helps sustain Make-A-Day’s outreach while also receiving:

• Exclusive recognition as the featured partner for their sponsored outreach day
• Name or logo placement on the Make-A-Day food truck and digital platforms
• Opportunities to engage, naming the meal, creating the playlist, or volunteering alongside staff
• Bi-annual impact reports showing measurable outcomes
• A 100 Investors in Hope badge for use on websites and social media
• Invitation to the annual Investors of Hope appreciation event

Across all programs, Make-A-Day estimates every dollar invested returns $3 – $14 in community value, and up to $46 per $1 through its Move the Box reentry initiative by reducing court costs, restoring employment, and increasing housing stability.

“This campaign isn’t just about replacing funding,” Hayes added. “It’s about reinforcing that our city’s strength comes from neighbors investing in neighbors.When people and small businesses step up, the impact is immediate, and deeply personal.”

How to Join

Become one of the 100 Investors in Hope at www.makeaday.fun/100investorsinhope or contact christy@makeaday.fun for partnership details.

About Make-A-Day

Make-A-Day is a Columbus-based nonprofit that builds neighborhood care centers, one day at a time. Through mobile outreach and Pop-Up Care Villages, the organization brings meals, housing connections, reentry services, and community care directly to neighbors experiencing homelessness or poverty. In 2024, Make-A-Day served more than 11,800 neighbors across Franklin County through its programs rooted in dignity, stability, and opportunity.

Learn more at www.makeaday.fun.