Ohio Association of Foodbanks

It’s time to Today. Voices for National Service, States for Service, Service Year Alliance, and The Corps Networks are co-hosting a virtual day of action to urge Congress to reject catastrophic cuts to in the FY25 budget. Join us! It takes just 2 minutes to use these tools to send an email, place a call, or post on social media urging your lawmakers to invest in – not cut – AmeriCorps. https://voicesforservice.org/take-action/contact-congress/

Pregnant and postpartum individuals participating in WIC get $47 each month, and breastfeeding individuals get $52 to buy their favorite fruits and veggies. If you’re not enrolled in , applying for and receiving WIC benefits has never been easier. See if you’re eligible at signupwic.com or https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/Women-Infants-Children/welcome-to-women-infants-and-children-wic

“Ohio is the heart of it all, and that means that our state is also the heart of compassion," said DeWine of the event. "It is vitally important that we join together to do everything we can to end hunger in Ohio."

Luke Bryan teams up with Feeding America and Gov. DeWine to host Cincinnati food insecurity awareness event Luke Bryan teamed up with Feeding America and Gov. Mike DeWine to host a conversation at Riverbend Music Center on Saturday afternoon.

At the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, we stand firmly in support of and its profound impact on our local communities. The House has proposed deep cuts to the budget, which would eliminate 71,000 service positions and education awards. We urge you to speak out and tell Congress to and reject these cuts: https://bit.ly/CCFY25

Happy 4th of July! 🎇 Let’s ketchup on the fun and relish the moments! Celebrate with a plateful of joy and a side of gratitude. 🍔🌭

Families participating in WIC get $26 each month to buy their favorite fruits and veggies. If you’re not enrolled in WIC, now is the time to apply. See if you’re eligible for WIC at signupwic.com or https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/Women-Infants-Children/welcome-to-women-infants-and-children-wic

Stay cooler at home with help from the HEAP Summer Crisis Program. The Summer Crisis Program provides a one-time payment to help with home cooling during the summer months. You may be eligible if your household income is no more than 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and you or someone in your household meets one of these conditions:

· is 60 years of age or older
· has a verified medical condition
· has received a disconnect notice, has had electricity shut off, or is trying to establish new service
· is enrolling in Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) for first time or has a PIPP default

Learn more and make an appointment to apply by calling (800)282-0880 today. The program runs 7/1/24 – 9-30/24.

According to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, there are 175 campuses in Ohio. The organization believes most institutions have a basic needs program, but there is no consistency in how they are run or funded.
Mr. Brennan said he was both surprised and not surprised by the number of college students who were food insecure.

“I was a poor college student in the late ’80s, so I know what it was like to try and find money for food,” he said. “I remember when three tacos at Taco Bell would cost $1. I do the majority of the grocery shopping in my house, and I know the costs out there. The pandemic and now inflation has made it difficult for folks. Young people, families are struggling to keep a roof over their head, to buy food, clothing, and to try to further their education. Single students also have it rough. It is not easy. I am not sure how they do it.”

Ohio House bill aims to help college students dealing with food insecurity Food insecurity on college and university campuses is an issue, though sometimes a well hidden one. “I was surprised when I found out how many people on ...

We’re celebrating Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month! Through programs such as the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program and Ohio CAN, we’re able to provide nutritious produce to Ohioans in need, while also supporting local producers and helping farms reduce unnecessary waste. Visit our website to learn more: https://ohiofoodbanks.org/

Our team had an amazing day volunteering at SE Ohio Foodbank & Kitchen and Shared Harvest Foodbank today! It’s always wonderful to see everything in action. A HUGE thank you to our incredible volunteers, staff, and neighbors for showing up with kindness and smiles! 😊

Yesterday, we joined SE Ohio Foodbank & Kitchen summer meals packing event! A huge thank you to Kroger for their generous $20,000 donation, ensuring all the elements for a shelf-stable summer meal box for kids were covered.

We were honored to have Kelli Johnson representing Senator JD Vance, State Rep. Mark Johnson, and Jeremy Shanklin representing Congressman Wenstrup with us. We appreciate your support.

This is a shining example of public-private partnership at its best, ensuring kids are fed during the summer. We discussed the impact of summer EBT/SUN Bucks and our collaboration with the state and Children's Hunger Alliance to provide both congregate & non-congregate meals throughout the summer.

Together, we are making a difference!

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks team had an incredible time today volunteering in the western part of our state today at West Ohio Foodbank and The Foodbank, Inc.! We loved connecting with our neighbors, dedicated volunteers, and the amazing foodbank staff who work tirelessly to support our communities.

A huge thank you to everyone for having us! We’re eager to continue our journey at Shared Harvest Foodbank tomorrow and SE Ohio Foodbank & Kitchen on Friday. Excited about ! 🌟

Supporting HB 428 is crucial! This , take a step towards making a difference. Visit our Action Center to add your organization as a supporter, to send a letter to the editor to your local paper, to share your story, and so much more! https://p2a.co/KzAdpkw

We support HB 428 – if you do too, join us by taking at least one action this – visit our Action Center to add your organization as a supporter, to send a letter to the editor to your local paper, to share your story, and so much more! https://p2a.co/KzAdpkw

The number of food-insecure households in the U.S. increased significantly in 2022, according to the USDA. Access to healthy foods should not be a luxury. A strong that invests in nutrition programs, like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), can help to support food banks and neighbors facing hunger.

We have a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our food system? Take a moment to support a strong Farm Bill by visiting https://feedingamericaaction.org/act/.

There is still time to apply for help with a heating bill. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible low-income Ohioans to heat their homes by providing a one-time payment on the household’s utility or bulk fuel bill during the program season. Learn more & make an appointment to apply by calling (800) 282-0880. Apply by 5/31/24.

"My kids need money to eat. Right now I am using cash, and it is bleeding me dry from all the finances." - Franklin County Neighbor

EBT 'skimming' on the rise, more Ohioans turn to food banks The federal SNAP program allows nearly 1.3 million Ohio families to put food on the table -- but increasingly, when many recipients attempt to use their card at a store, they are told they do not have enough funds. At grocery and convenience stores across the state, fraudsters are installing illegal...

It has become harder and harder for families to access the food they need. Federal nutrition programs can help millions of people put food on the table, but only if Congress renews the with strong investments in programs, like SNAP, that help ease the strain and stress of hunger in our communities.

Let's ensure our voices are heard in the upcoming Farm Bill. Visit https://feedingamericaaction.org/act/ to learn how you can take action for a resilient and equitable food system. Your advocacy matters!

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps bridge meal gaps for millions of people facing hunger by helping food banks keep their shelves stocked and ready to serve their communities. That’s why we need Congress to pass a with strong investments in TEFAP.

The Farm Bill impacts us all! Help shape policies that support farmers, communities, and food access. Take action now: https://feedingamericaaction.org/act/

Millions of people in the U.S. turn to federal nutrition programs to help put food on the table for their families during hard times. When it comes to addressing hunger relief, voters agree — strengthening nutrition programs in the is a priority.

Let's make our voices heard! Visit https://feedingamericaaction.org/act/ to take action in support of a strong Farm Bill. Every action counts!

See you tomorrow! Join this Summer Hunger Lunch and Learn webinar for a detailed overview of the new Summer EBT program, the Ohio Summer Food Service Program, and more resources for ensuring Ohio children are healthy and fed this summer!

This summer is the first year of the brand-new Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program for eligible youth to help close the summer hunger gap when students are on summer break and are not receiving school meals.

S-EBT is the first new, permanent federal assistance program in almost 50 years. Who is eligible? How do eligible families enroll? How and when are benefits sent to families? We've got answers to all those questions and more!

Register here: https://bit.ly/4azFQoK

We are honored to have been selected as the 2023 Partner of the Year for OSHIIP! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program for this recognition and want to send big congratulations to our Strategic Initiatives team here at OAF!

Through initiatives like Get Covered Ohio, we strive to ensure that every individual has access to affordable healthcare options that meet their needs.

Navigators, certified and licensed by federal and state authorities, provide free and impartial assistance to help Ohioans navigate the complexities of healthcare coverage. Additionally, resources like OSHIIP offer invaluable one-on-one counseling and education on Medicare options.

Thank you to OSHIIP for this honor Together, we can make a difference!

To learn more about the program, please visit https://getcoveredohio.org/

Some very cute kiddos joined us Thursday for Take Your Child to Work Day. We read Lulu and the Hunger Monster and Our Little Kitchen to talk about how we can all help neighbors facing hunger; we made origami apples and talked about the millions of pounds of apples and other foods that we rescue and redirect to Ohio families; we built LEGO John Deere harvesters and talked about the importance of Ohio’s agriculture industry and our place in Ohio’s food supply chain; we made cards to share with food pantry clients to brighten their day; we toured the Ohio Statehouse and learned about its history and purpose; and we ate a LOT of snacks. Thanks, parents and relatives, for sharing your kids with us – we hope they found a bit of inspiration to continue to be kind and helping people 😊

Next Week!!!

This summer is the first year of the brand-new Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program for eligible youth to help close the summer hunger gap when students are on summer break and are not receiving school meals.

S-EBT is the first new, permanent federal assistance program in almost 50 years. Who is eligible? How do eligible families enroll? How and when are benefits sent to families? We've got answers to all those questions and more!

Join this Summer Hunger Lunch and Learn webinar for a detailed overview of the new Summer EBT program, the Ohio Summer Food Service Program, and more resources for ensuring Ohio children are healthy and fed this summer!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IopVrfd7TkWUwXKV9cQLEg #/registration

We are so honored to have received one of seven Feeding America Network Celebration Awards at our national network's annual conference.

We were selected for this honor in recognition of our "better together" approach to Ohio's LFPA program, Ohio CAN. This award is a reflection of the hard work of our staff as well as the extraordinary local farmers, growers, and suppliers, foodbankers, state agency staff and leaders at Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, federal partners at U.S. Department of Agriculture, and neighbors who have come together to shape this collective work. Thank you to Feeding America for this recognition and to the Many Voices who continue to coalesce around One Vision to build and sustain resilient local food supply chains and provide delicious, nutritious food to neighbors facing hunger.

Learn more from Feeding America's press release: https://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/press-room/2024-John-van-Hengel-Network-Celebrations

This summer is the first year of the brand-new Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program for eligible youth to help close the summer hunger gap when students are on summer break and are not receiving school meals.

S-EBT is the first new, permanent federal assistance program in almost 50 years. Who is eligible? How do eligible families enroll? How and when are benefits sent to families? We've got answers to all those questions and more!

Join this Summer Hunger Lunch and Learn webinar for a detailed overview of the new Summer EBT program, the Ohio Summer Food Service Program, and more resources for ensuring Ohio children are healthy and fed this summer!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IopVrfd7TkWUwXKV9cQLEg #/registration

"The research and advocacy organizations were joined by Patrick Russell, a Zanesville father of three, who shared how he and his wife weather health challenges, education debt and barriers to work by making do with less — and how refundable tax credits like the ones described would help them afford the basics and stay afloat. The COVID-era expansion of the federal “Child Tax Credit helped pay for living expenses, it helped pay for food, it helped pay for everything,” Russell said. “It really did make a difference.”"

State tax system can work for all Ohioans | Policy Matters Ohio | April 15, 2024 Advocates propose four policies to fix the tax code State legislators have tax policy options that would help Ohio families, workers, property owners, renters, and others with low or moderate incomes, according to a new brief from Policy Matters Ohio Tax Policy Researcher Bailey Williams. Policy Mat...

Warm Spring days are here! If you are working to try to pay a heating bill HEAP can help! The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible low-income Ohioans to heat their homes by providing a one-time payment on the household’s utility or bulk fuel bill during the program season. Learn more & make an appointment to apply by calling (800) 282-0880. Apply by 5/31/24.

Energy Assistance Programs can help in any season. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income-eligible Ohioans with the cost of home heating by providing a benefit once per program year. Ohioans can apply with the help of their local Energy Assistance Provider (EAP) or begin an application online at energyhelp.ohio.gov. To learn more and make an appointment to apply call (800) 282-0880 today.