Lawmakers must finalize the state’s two-year budget by June 30.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Through prayer, songs and personal stories, faith and community leaders urged Ohio lawmakers Tuesday to remember Ohioans who struggle to afford food, housing or medical care.
“We call on our legislators today to invest in hunger, to create housing stability, ensure the sick are cared for and many other things,” Deacon Nick Bates with the Hunger Network in Ohio said at a news conference at the statehouse.
Single working mother-of-two Che Gadison, of East Cleveland, understands the struggle.
“As a single parent, money was very tight in our household,” Gadison said. “Do I pay the $50 to get glass frames for my son or do I take that $50 and pay the light bill?”
According to Feeding America, 1.6 million Ohioans face hunger. Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio says their pantries in seven counties are working to meet a growing need.
“What was once 1.7 million meals per year is now 2.2 million meals per year,” LSS Director of Food Pantries Joel Call said.
The advocates support four key proposed issues in the state budget:
- Expanding Ohio’s free school meals program
- Keeping funding for Ohio food banks at current levels plus inflation rather than reverting to pre-COVID levels
- The governor’s proposed $1,000 child tax credit for children six and under
- Safe, decent, affordable housing
“Families that are working multiple jobs are still just not able to make ends meet,” Bates said.
Bates said roughly 100 faith and community leaders had scheduled about 75 meetings with lawmakers Tuesday alone to push their priorities.
More firmly on her feet now, Gadison is advocating against any possible changes to Medicaid that could hurt other Ohioans.
“Without these Medicaid programs, a lot of parents would not be able to give the gift of good health to their children,” Gadison said.
Now, the advocates hope lawmakers hear the stories like Che’s, their prayers and their songs. Lawmakers must finalize the state’s 2-year budget by June 30.
