Emergency Funds Help SE Ohio Foodbank Respond, but Recovery Will Take Time and Community
This month, Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly released $7 million in emergency funding to Ohio’s foodbanks to purchase and distribute food as quickly as possible. The Southeast Ohio Foodbank’s share of this support—$304,348.88— plus emergency support from donors and volunteers alike, is already being put to work ordering and distributing extra food throughout our ten-county service area.
“Every day, we hear from pantry partners who are seeing an immediate rise in need,” said Alicia Miklos, Director of the SE Ohio Foodbank. “We are so grateful for this emergency funding, for all of the community members who have stepped up to help, and for the partnerships that make it possible to respond quickly. Our goal is to get food where it’s needed most.”
The Foodbank is planning a series of additional mobile food distributions in the coming weeks, (to be announced on our social media) in partnership with local pantries and community organizations. These distributions will provide some relief during this difficult time.
While partial SNAP benefits are expected to begin disbursing soon, and the federal government is reopening, the need for food assistance will not disappear overnight. Families have gone weeks without benefits, stretching already thin budgets and pantry shelves. Local pantries and the SE Ohio Foodbank will continue working to meet increased demand and help neighbors recover from the ripple effects of the delay.
Our team is also coordinating volunteers, recruiting warehouse support, and working closely with agency partners to ensure that food reaches every corner of Southeast Ohio as efficiently as possible.
Neighbors seeking food assistance can visit freshtrak.com for local resources. Those who wish to help can give at hapcap.org/prepared or volunteer at hapcap.org/seofbvolunteer
Together, we’re doing what Southeast Ohio has always done best—showing up for one another.