As the federal government shutdown continues, more than 1.4 million Ohioans who rely on SNAP benefits are facing uncertainty about when , or how much food assistance they’ll receive this month.
The Trump administration announced Monday that it will use a $5 billion contingency fund to partially cover the $8 billion monthly program after two federal judges ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep SNAP running.
Still, officials said the fund will only cover part of November’s payments, and states must update their systems to handle reduced benefits. That process could take weeks or even months, according to Cleveland.com.
Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services said no benefits were paid out over the weekend, and it’s not yet clear when the partial payments will reach families.
In the meantime, Governor Mike DeWine released $25 million in emergency relief to help families and food banks weather the delay, including $7 million for regional food banks and $18 million in assistance for about 63,000 Ohio Works First recipients, Axios reported.
Locally, Columbus and Franklin County leaders are also stepping up.
The city and county each contributed $500,000 to Mid-Ohio Food Collective to help address immediate hunger needs, while additional city funds will support rent and utility assistance and meals for students and families. “What we’re talking about is a short-term approach to a crisis, but this is not sustainable,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther told WOSU.
Matt Habash, president and CEO of Mid-Ohio Food Collective, said 320,000 people across the 20 counties they serve rely on SNAP. “Please understand, food banks cannot make up for the loss of SNAP benefits,” Habash told WOSU. “For now, it’s up to Ohioans to help one another.”
The city is also expanding access to other resources, including Mobile Produce Markets through Columbus Recreation and Parks, which offer free fresh produce to eligible families at community centers throughout the city. Dates and locations can be found here.
How You Can Help
At Columbus Navigator, we love this city and the people who call it home. But the truth is, too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. The Mid-Ohio Food Collective is out there every day making sure families across Central Ohio have access to healthy, nourishing meals, and we want to help them keep doing that.
Every dollar raised stays right here in our community, helping make Columbus a place where everyone can thrive. Donations of any size, whether it’s $1 or $100, make a massive difference. Just $1 helps provide up to 2.5 meals for local families. You can join us by giving to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective here, and helping ensure no one in our city has to go hungry.
