On Nov. 1, no federal food assistance programs were distributed to Americans. The means to fund for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) programs, which families around the country depend on for food assistance, went dormant, as described on the USDA website on Oct 26.
In the face of the approaching deadline, Ohioans took action. They shared information about where to find local resources, and food banks prepared for the influx of people who depend on the food. Then, on Thursday, Oct. 30, Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order for the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) to give $7 million to regional food banks and up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 low-income Ohioans.
First, DeWine’s executive order requires ODJFS to allocate $7 million to regional food banks using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. Also, the order requires ODJFS to double the monthly benefit for the state’s 63,000 Ohio Works First recipients—which include more than 57,000 children. Ohio Works First provides assistance to low-income families with children at or below 50% of the federal poverty level (the poverty level is $15,650 for a single person or $32,150 for a family of 4) using TANF funds. The $25 million-dollar total pales in comparison to the total of $264 million in SNAP benefits about 1.4 million Ohioans received every month.
Food banks across the state prepared for an influx of people as Nov. 1 approached. For instance, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (GCFB) serves Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula, Ashland, Geauga and Richland counties. In an interview prior to Nov. 1, Karen Pozna, GCFB Director of Communications and Special Events told the Observer, “No food bank can really make up for the lack of SNAP benefits. For every meal distributed by a food bank, SNAP provides nine meals.” Anticipating the difficult times ahead for Clevelanders depending on the food bank, she added, “It is going to be a challenge.”
In addition to sending state funds to food banks and individuals at risk, Cuyahoga County stepped up to support its residents. As of Oct. 31, a variety of Cuyahoga County philanthropic, civic and corporate leaders joined together to raise more than $600,000 for the GCFB. Among the community partners that made significant contributions were the City of Cleveland, The Cleveland Foundation and all three Cleveland professional sports teams. Mayor of Cleveland Justin Bibb said in a statement that, “The City of Cleveland will not stand by while our residents face hunger.”
Cleveland-based nonprofit Foodstrong also plays a major role. “What is going on right now is exactly why we do what we do,” said Sara Continenza, Founder and Executive Director of Food Strong. “We are teaching food sovereignty, so that people don’t have to depend on food banks.” “We never know when a program like SNAP or a food bank will be underfunded. We teach people how to fend for themselves,” Continenza stressed.
On Case Western Reserve University campus and for community members living in University Circle, there are other resources. Student organizations have been continuously working towards stronger food security. One club, Food as Medicine, is a 501(c)(3) student-run organization dedicated to advocating for food as a form of preventative medicine, particularly emphasizing disease prevention and overall physical well-being. Their mission is to “provide opportunities for students to participate in community service and lead hands-on nutrition education sessions that emphasize interaction and engagement.“
There are many opportunities for students to get involved in improving food insecurity in Cleveland. Food as Medicine “welcomes any student who wants to get involved in nutrition education or community engagement, regardless of their background.” They stress that students do not need to be experts in nutrition, but “what matters most is a willingness to help and engage with the community.” Both the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Food Strong welcome volunteers, and GCFB invites people to make donations. Students can learn more at the organizations’ websites, greaterclevelandfoodbank.org and foodstrong.org respectively.
Anyone experiencing hardship due to food insecurity should refer to:
The CWRU Basic Needs Hub and CWRU Community Pantry
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank and a variety of other local resources, many of which are listed in Cleveland.com’s “Greater Cleveland food pantry locations 2025: County-by-county resource guide” article published Oct. 30.