Greater Dover New Philadelphia Food Pantry Gets $750,000 Cleveland Clinic Gift
DOVER (May 13, 2026) – The Greater Dover New Philadelphia Food Pantry is beginning to look toward the future after learning it will receive a transformational $750,000 donation from the Cleveland Clinic, spread over five years.
The gift, which will provide $150,000 annually, comes through the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and reflects the health system’s practice of investing in communities where it operates hospitals. With Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital serving Tuscarawas County, the local food pantry became part of that commitment.
“We knew they were thinking of donating to groups in our area,” said Jim Rice, chief operations officer of the pantry. “But we had no idea it would be this much.”
The size and structure of the gift took pantry leaders by surprise. Rice said the organization had anticipated a donation similar to last year’s $50,000 grant, not a multi‑year pledge that provides both stability and opportunity.
Perhaps most significantly, the funds come with no restrictions, giving the pantry flexibility to address long-term needs rather than immediate operating costs. Rice said his personal view is that the money should be used strategically.
“My belief is we should not really use much of it for food,” he said. “We should be looking at capital improvements that make our operation better and more efficient — things that will last.”
Among the ideas being discussed are upgrades to equipment and infrastructure that support the pantry’s daily operations. Some of the pantry’s electric pallet jacks, for example, are nearing the end of their usefulness. The funding could allow the organization to replace them with new equipment, while donating the older jacks to smaller food pantries that lack such resources.
“That’s one simple way we could help other pantries in the area,” Rice said.
The building itself is also aging. The pantry operates out of the original Dover Buehler’s store built decades ago. While significant upgrades have already been completed — including a new roof and expanded refrigeration and freezer space — other components are beginning to show wear.
“Dock plates and things like that are aging and will need to be replaced in the future,” Rice explained. Still, he said the facility is currently in good shape overall.
Formal decisions on how the money will be used have not yet been made. The pantry’s board of directors only recently learned of the gift, and the organization has not yet received the first installment.
“We really haven’t had a chance to talk about it at all,” Rice said. “That will be a topic of discussion in future board meetings.”