Press Releases & Media Statements

"As public health risks and volatility in local economies and food systems remain widespread, so too does the food security crisis in our state and across the nation. But it’s abundantly clear that the large-scale return of community volunteers to support our emergency hunger relief response remains unlikely while pandemic conditions persist. The remarkable Ohio National Guard soldiers and airmen serving at our warehouses and in our communities remain indispensable to keeping our fellow Ohioans fed."

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks, representing a statewide network of 12 foodbanks and 3,600 hunger relief programs, fully supports Governor Mike DeWine’s statewide mask mandate. We urge every foodbank supporter, donor, volunteer and customer to look at wearing a mask as an important part of our fight against historic levels of food insecurity. The more we can safely keep our economy running, the less long-term suffering ahead for our neighbors and friends.

In Ohio, more than one in seven workers remain unemployed, and recent polls show one in four Americans missed last month’s rent or mortgage or have little to no confidence they can pay next month on time. Food insecurity rates have nearly doubled in Ohio from 13.9% to 23%, according to the Census Household Pulse Survey. The Census found that just in the past week, nearly 350,000 Ohio households have reported receiving free food from a food pantry, school or children’s program, or other source, such as a neighbor.

“Our senior management team at the association has never just ‘stuck to hunger issues’ before, and we’re not going to start now. I’m reaffirming that we’re here to join our fellow advocates in speaking out against racial injustice and speaking up for reforms and accountability. These are big problems that take everyone lending their voice. We can’t correct the food injustices in this country while racial injustice remains.”

"After weeks of bureaucratic haggling and red tape, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks is relieved that staff, volunteers and members of the Ohio National Guard and Ohio Military Reserve working and serving at Ohio's foodbanks and food pantries have won approval for a program that will better protect their health and safety and meet the needs of struggling Ohioans during this crisis."

“We deeply appreciate the generosity of the AT&T Foundation and other organizations who have stepped up to help during this public health crisis,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. “That being said, there is still immense need for donations and support as the COVID-19 pandemic is causing mass layoffs, reduced wages, lost school meals, and significant financial pain for millions of Ohioans, which is forcing many into our food lines – often for the very first time.”