A former sanctuary-turned multipurpose room at Northminster Church fills with a steady stream of people on a Wednesday morning.
Rows of long tables stretch across the space, each one becoming its own workstation — a volunteer on one side, a taxpayer on the other, papers spread between them. Laptops are open, chairs pulled close, conversations unfolding in low voices. By the waiting area, there’s coffee brewing; and often, something homemade.
“I bring cookies and zucchini bread,” said volunteer Marianne Lord. “I’ve had a couple people say, ‘This is the reason I come back here every year.’”
It’s a small detail, but one people remember. Some arrive alone. Others come with a spouse or a parent. A few recognize familiar faces — volunteers or other taxpayers they’ve seen in years past.
At sites like Northminster in Finneytown — one of more than 30 operated through United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Free Tax Prep program — people can sit down, ask questions and get help navigating a process that might otherwise feel overwhelming.
Familiar Faces, Year After Year
Many are repeat customers. Vietnam veteran William Winstead has been getting his taxes done at Northminster for more than a decade, after first hearing about the service through the VA.
“They do a good job,” Winstead said. “They take their time, work with you, double check everything.”
The cost savings matter too.
“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t get anything back,” he said.
Instead, the money he keeps goes toward groceries, bills and helping his grandchildren — everyday expenses that stretch further without the added cost of tax preparation.
Over time, Winstead has become an unofficial ambassador for the service, recommending it to others and encouraging them to come in. That kind of word-of-mouth is part of what keeps sites like Northminster busy year after year.
Built by Volunteers
Marianne and fellow volunteer Dan Wells are both members at Northminster Church. They’ve been part of the Free Tax Prep effort for more than a decade.
“It’s part of our outreach, part of our discipleship,” Dan said. “It’s what we do.”
They’ve watched as the site has grown — not just in numbers, but in relationships. Over time, those brief tax appointments start to feel more familiar.
“You get kind of invested in them,” Marianne said.
Procter & Gamble retiree Mike Telljohann coordinates the site. For volunteers like him, the work is a way to stay engaged while helping neighbors keep more of what they earned.
“What they would have to pay a preparer is a lot of money for a lot of the taxpayers we see,” he said. “So, it’s a big deal for them.”
More Than a Tax Appointment
Some are there to save money. Others want someone to walk them through a process they don’t fully understand.
Jermaine Enoch made an appointment for himself and his mother after recently moving back to Cincinnati. He learned about the program through United Way’s 211 helpline.
“For families who are working to make ends meet, it’s very important that you have these services,” Jermaine said.
Beatrice and Reginald Lovette decided to use United Way’s service because the cost for a paid preparer kept going up.
“This meant a great deal to us,” Beatrice said. “We saved hundreds of dollars. We’ll be using your service in the future as long as it’s offered.”
At United Way tax-prep sites across the region, needs are met with patience, attention and care. And over time, that consistency builds trust. The people who come back know what to expect: a seat at the table, someone willing to help and a process that feels manageable.
