News & Updates

“With the first federal paychecks missed and the shutdown stretching into a third week, Ohio’s foodbanks and local hunger relief partners are working hard to respond to gaps that federal workers are facing. At the same time, we are focused on remaining available to the tens of thousands of Ohioans that turn to our network for help each day when they face budget shortfalls.

“Foodbanks have existed for more than five decades to help families and those in need respond to food shortages. In times of economic disruption and natural disasters, foodbanks serve as key public-private partners working with local food pantries and meal programs to keep food on the table and households stable. As we navigate this shutdown day by day, we continue to communicate with our state agency partners to better understand the impact government-funded assistance programs may face if the shutdown is prolonged. While we stand ready to assist those affected, our resources are already stretched thin, with an average of 1.4 million Ohioans visiting our food pantries each month, and a prolonged shutdown will add strain on our network.

“We are counting on our donors, supporters and communities to step up in any way they can as our network continues its response. This situation underscores the vital role of public-private partnerships in supporting working families. Our partnerships with the USDA and the State of Ohio help support farmers and producers when they face market challenges, while also ensuring Ohio families are nourished. We maximize those partnerships through the power of charitable and corporate giving and local volunteerism. The collective generosity of Ohioans in this moment is essential in supporting our mission — not only in this shutdown season, but as we approach the winter months and holiday season ahead.”

“The passage of the budget reconciliation bill will weaken access to wholesome food and reliable health care for many Ohio families. It includes fundamental, structural and sweeping changes to the nation’s primary food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These changes will be implemented at different intervals over the next three fiscal years and create ongoing uncertainty for communities facing food budget shortfalls and economic instability.

“Our network of 12 regional foodbanks and their 3,600 faith-based and charitable partners remain committed to doing as much as we can to stand side-by-side with children, parents, workers, seniors, and disabled Ohioans striving to keep healthy food on the table. We continue to be motivated to stretch resources in partnership with farmers, manufacturers, retailers, local, state, and federal government agencies and policymakers, and countless donors and volunteers.

“The promise of adequate, nourishing food helps families to think beyond meeting today’s basic needs and focus on pursuing brighter futures. Our resolve to ensure that promise is met across Ohio remains strong, and we will continue to call on our communities to link arms with us so that we can ensure no one in our great state goes hungry.”

The U.S. Senate has passed a version of the reconciliation bill that includes a 20% cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), totaling more than $180 billion through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Food insecurity advocates said they are extremely concerned. The proposed cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would affect more than 40 million people nationwide.

In Ohio, experts project the change would create a gap the state can’t afford.

“Ohio would be responsible for nearly $400 million each year in new spending just to maintain what are already inadequate benefits for primarily children, seniors, disabled Ohioans and working families,” said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.

Food banks statewide have been stressing that they're open during the shutdown, and have been ready to help federal workers who have stopped getting paychecks. But they're also preparing for more demand if the shutdown continues, and as they get ready for the holiday season and winter. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks said in a statement last week: “We are counting on our donors, supporters and communities to step up in any way they can as our network continues its response. This situation underscores the vital role of public-private partnerships in supporting working families."

Ohio food banks are preparing for increased demand as funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly referred to as food stamps, is expected to run out in November if the partial government shutdown continues.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Ohioans who depend on SNAP benefits could see a change to their benefits in November.

Around 1.4 million Ohioans and those looking to apply for new SNAP benefits won’t be receiving them if Congress doesn’t reach a deal in Washington DC by the Nov. 1 deadline.

In Clark County, roughly 23,600 residents — nearly one-fifth of the county — receive SNAP benefits.

Tom McGrath, director of the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services, released the following statement on SNAP benefits amid the shutdown:

The County understands that many SNAP recipients are concerned about future benefits being delayed or reduced because of the federal shutdown. The latest communication from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is that the federal shutdown may cause a delay in new issuances of SNAP benefits starting Saturday, November 1. We do not have information about how long the delay will last. We are waiting for additional updates from the state and federal government, and we will share more information on our website when it becomes available. JFS will continue to process new applications and client recertifications to ensure benefit accuracy when federal funding resumes. Additional assistance may be available at a local food bank.”

Tom McGrath

The purpose of this report is to highlight the main findings from a follow up survey on Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) which has been branded Ohio CAN (Community + Agriculture + Nutrition) in Ohio. The goal of the survey was to understand the perceived impact of the Ohio CAN program on local agricultural businesses. Survey questions were devised with input from Howard Fleeter & Associates, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, and regional foodbanks to collect data on business demographics, business growth, food safety, employment, food chain supply resiliency, wellness, and future business outlook.