About 1.4 million Ohioans are among the millions of Americans nationwide who could be left without the monthly payments that help them purchase food starting Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown continues.
Formerly known as food stamps, they rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal program that provides low-income families with monthly benefits to afford groceries.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the SNAP program, announced there will not be enough funding to pay all benefits for November in the event the shutdown continues to be extended.
In Ohio, roughly $263.4 million is allocated each month to enrolled recipients. The average benefit is $190 each month.
Although SNAP is a federal program, the state confirms individual eligibility.
As of Oct. 22, the federal government shutdown became the second-longest in U.S. history behind only a shutdown during President Donald Trump’s previous administration, according to reporting from USA TODAY. If it lasts into Wednesday, Nov. 5, or 36 days, it will mark the longest federal shutdown in American history.
This comes as lawmakers, like State Rep. Latyna Humphrey, D-Columbus, have urged Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to borrow from the state’s “Rainy Day” fund to pay benefits as Ohioans may need to sacrifice basic needs.
Not panicking, but preparing
In central Ohio, organizations are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.
Franklin County Job and Family Services released a statement regarding the possibility of disrupted SNAP benefits. The agency urged families to plan ahead as best as possible.
This included connecting and familiarizing central Ohioans with food pantries through websites like freshtrak.com and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective “find food now” feature.
Volunteers from the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in the U.S. package fresh produce in this July 27, 2024, Dispatch file photo at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s South Side pop-up food pantry in the former Refugee Road Kroger in Columbus.
Mike Hochron, Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s senior vice president of communications and public affairs, said that as of Oct. 24, it was not yet time to panic as the possibility of the loss of SNAP funding still was a week away.
Still, the organization will plan for how it will continue to operate its network of 600 community-based partnering agencies in 20 counties in central and eastern Ohio if the shutdown extends beyond Nov. 1.
Hochron said the collective would launch a community rallying cry by the end of October if the federal shutdown had not ended. In the meantime, the collective will serve as a source of information and reassurance through the uncertainty, he said.
“We’re going to do the most good we can to serve our communities with the resources that we have, because we all understand and are committed to people not going hungry,” Hochron said. “We’re still going to be here.”
MOFC has already created a webpage specifically tailored to helping Ohioans find help during the government shutdown. Anyone who visit’s the organization’s website will be directed to “find food now.”
Pantries funded by private organizations like churches are likewise figuring out next steps amid the government shutdown and the possibility of missing SNAP benefits nears.
As one example, the Broad Street Food Pantry, which is funded by Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad St., released an announcement on Facebook that the pantry would continue to serve the community despite the shutdown and uncertain future of SNAP benefits.
The pantry’s director, Kathy Kelly-Long, later explained to The Dispatch the anticipation of more need comes as resources are already stretched thin across the region. However, the generosity of the church’s congregation and partnerships within the MOFC network have kept the pantry afloat.
Kelly-Long encouraged those who need help to ask for it. She said that for some federal government employees who are currently furloughed, this might be the first time they have experienced food insecurity.
For others who are able, she urged them to provide help.
“We’re still holding on to the wait and see,” Kelly-Long said of SNAP’s uncertain future.
Resources for families in need
Community members have taken to the internet to share resources as Nov. 1 looms closer.
One post on Reddit recommended locating and helping to stock “blessing boxes” around Columbus with nonperishable goods.
Different churches and community groups pass out weekly meals around central Ohio.
Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square at 3rd and Broad streets, Downtown, offers a weekly Sunday afternoon meal in downtown Columbus.
East Side Grace Brethren Church, located at 7510 E. Broad St. just west of Waggoner Road on Columbus’ Far East Side, offers a free community dinner weekly on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and operates a food bank.
Another group, Food Not Bombs, does the same, offering free meals on Saturday afternoons from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at multiple locations, including the intersections of Cleveland and 23rd avenues, Parsons and East Innis avenues, and Sullivant and South Burgess avenues.
“If the government isn’t able to get this solved, it’s going to require people taking care of one another where support traditionally comes from government: the business community, houses of worship and generous individuals,” Hochron said. “Together, we can do a lot to make sure nobody goes hungry in our community.”
For any religious groups, nonprofits or community organizations preparing to support the community in the event SNAP benefits are suspended, email Sophia Veneziano at [email protected] to add to a list of resources.
Reporter Sophia Veneziano may be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio residents may lose SNAP benefits in November. Here are resources
