Food bank grateful for SNAP support

As the regional food bank, Second Harvest supports efforts to ensure individuals and families have consistent, reliable access to the food they need; not just to get by, but to thrive. Ohioans are navigating rising costs and economic uncertainty, and we see the impact of food insecurity every day as a result. Requests for food assistance continue to rise across the state, with more seniors, working families and individuals turning to our network to meet their nutritional needs. Protecting programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, is critical. SNAP provides food access for more than a million Ohioans and is an economic driver in our communities with dollars spent at local stores. SNAP provides the foundation for helping families attain food security. Second Harvest helps fill the gap, ensuring families have consistent access to food when benefits run short or unexpected hardship strikes. Our SNAP outreach team connects our neighbors to this vital resource. Between June 2023 and December 2024, over 34,000 Ohio households had benefits stolen through card skimming, costing Ohio nearly $17 million in benefits theft, according to data from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. At that time, benefits were reimbursed by the federal government. Today, Ohioans have no recourse to recover what is stolen. It's why we applaud Representative Kellie Deeter, who represents southern Lorain County and Huron County, and Representative Tristan Rader along with the rest of the Ohio General Assembly for their relentless work to enact the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act (S.B. 315/ H.B. 163), providing new cards with chip technology — an investment strengthening both our communities and our state's financial future. By safeguarding SNAP benefits, our legislature ensures these critical food resources reach those who need them most and preserves the dignity for Ohioans to securely shop for groceries that best meet their nutritional needs. Their leadership reflects a clear understanding that when we invest in people, we strengthen Ohio. Second Harvest is a non-partisan organization, but we do advocate for policies affecting the neighbors we serve. Thank you for all you do for our community. Julie Chase-Morefield President and CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio