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Ohio SNAP benefits to end soon. Here are ways folks in need can get food in state

By Sundi Rose

The US Department of Agriculture announced Oct 24 that all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be suspended for the month of November, but recipients should still be able to access benefits distributed on or before Oct 31.

In Ohio, about 1.45 million people receive SNAP benefits, including more than 500,000 children. Recipients make up about 12% of Ohio’s population, with 79% of those at or below the poverty line, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

The delay in benefits is a direct result of federal lawmakers failing to pass a budget, which has halted funding for the distribution of benefits in Ohio, leaving families who rely on these payments scrambling.

Although many Ohio residents rely on the program to feed their families daily, the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday complicates things further. However, there are resources available that can help provide food during the halt of funding.

Feeding America is among the most prolific of the assistance-providers and have installments in every state. Many of the resources listed below fall under their reach.

Food Finder US

Food Finder provides help “anywhere in America. Any time of year.” The website exists to inform people what is available to them and how to access the resource.

You can go to their website and enter your zip code to find the closest location to you.

Ohio Association of Food Banks

Northeast Ohio

Local resources

  • Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley: Click here
  • Red Door Food Pantry - One bag per household. Every third Sunday from 10:00 am to 11: 15 am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Avenue
  • The Salvation Army Mahoning County Area Services - Many services offered, including food assistance. Find a location near you.
  • Help Network of Northeast Ohio - Provides referral services to food pantries and meal sites. Dial 211 or text “HELP NETWORK” to 89211
  • Mobile Pantry at Bunker Hill United Methodist Church - Provides assistance to the community on a monthly basis. Every second Friday of the month, at 9:45 at 15096 W. Middletown Rd. Beloit
  • Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley - Full meals served daily at the Emergency Shelter at 1300 Martin Luther King Jr. Bld, Youngstown

Assistance for Thanksgiving

Donating to your local food bank

If you would like to help during this time, it’s best to just donate money so organizations can get food based on need and price. However, if you would like to donate food items, try to donate nutritious, shelf-stable items that do not need additional ingredients to work.

Things to donate:

  • Thanksgiving items for the near future
  • Peanut butter and jelly
  • Cereal
  • Whole grain bread 
  • Canned beans
  • Canned fruit and vegetables
  • Whole grain pasta
  • Brown rice 
  • Soups 
  • Canned tuna or salmon

This is not an exhaustive list, and some food banks will also accept personal care and household items.

Things NOT to donate:

The first thing to remember is that you shouldn’t donate anything perishable or that needs refrigeration. But there are other items as well.

  • Expired, damaged or open food
  • Leftovers 
  • Food with packaging concerns 
  • Fresh produce, dairy or meats
  • Homemade foods
  • Foods in glass containers
  • Bulk items

If I have left off any reliable resources, please Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

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