COLUMBUS, Ohio — Food pantries across Ohio are reporting record demand as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to resist court orders requiring the release of federal food assistance to roughly 42 million Americans. A federal judge recently ruled that Trump must distribute available Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds despite the ongoing government shutdown, but the administration has not yet complied.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said most recipients will receive less than 65% of their normal SNAP benefits this month, with some households near the eligibility cutoff receiving nothing. The result has been unprecedented strain on local food networks. “We had our biggest day ever — 285 families in three hours,” said Roy Clark, director of the NNEMAP food pantry in Columbus. “It’s been steady every day since.”
At the Broad Street Presbyterian Church pantry, demand nearly tripled in the past week. “It’s having a real and immediate impact on families here in Central Ohio,” Pastor Amy Miracle said. Foodbank leaders statewide said they’re operating on emergency footing, purchasing record volumes of food and turning to volunteers to keep up.
Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, said that while communities are stepping up, charity alone cannot replace SNAP’s $215 million in monthly support. “This isn’t sustainable,” she warned.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
