History

Eastside Community Ministry began in 1958 as an outreach program of Central Presbyterian Church to the youth on the east side of the city of Zanesville, OH.

What began as a place for youth to hang out and be provided with constructive activities has, over the years, become much more. We currently offer an after school program for youth K-12 grades, an emergency food pantry, clothing bank, and emergency relief program.

The youth program began in a small building on Marietta Street, while a small area off a stairwell at Central Presbyterian served as Eastside's office and service area. Our food pantry supplies were stored at nearby St. John's Lutheran Church; the clothing bank consisted of tables lined with donated clothing, shoes, and household goods.

In 2000 Eastside moved into its own new building located next to the youth center property at 221 Stillwell Street. This building houses all of our current programs. The upper level contains our youth program while the lower level houses our offices, clothing bank, food pantry and chapel. Over the past few years ECM has been able, through the generous donation of friends to purchase some adjoining properties which will allow for future expansion of services to the needy in our area.