Cuts create crises for Ohio families

Editor's note: Second Harvest Food Bank is a Lorain-based hunger relief organization serving Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties. Every day, families face impossible choices: pay utilities, rent, transportation — or buy food. The line at Second Harvest grows longer as costs continue to rise, and soon, the situation could become even more dire. Lawmakers are poised to slash billions from programs keeping food on the table and healthcare within reach — cuts that would send more families deeper into crisis. Three different committees of the House of Representatives approved separate sections of budget reconciliation legislation that would: • Cut $300 billion in funding from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • Cut $625 billion from Medicaid, increasing the number of people without health insurance by at least 7.6 million. A vote in the full House could happen as early as Thursday, May 22 — this is our last chance to speak out before it's too late. These programs are vital to so many of our neighbors, and any cuts will increase the need for more assistance from the non-profit sector including Second Harvest. Hunger is already a crisis in Ohio. According to Feeding America's newly released Map the Meal Gap, 1.8 million Ohioans are food insecure, a staggering 15.3% of our population. That includes families, seniors and veterans struggling to afford enough food. SNAP helps working families, older adults, and disabled Americans weather crisis. Since 2019, Americans have endured a pandemic, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and rising housing costs. Our recent Hunger In Our Community study tells us that 63% of families are working but just don't make enough. For over 40 years, Second Harvest has met the need, and we will continue to stand strong, ensuring families have access to the food they need to thrive. Last year, Second Harvest distributed nearly 13 million pounds of food and 25% was fresh produce. We will continue to prioritize nutritious food to supplement what families can afford but recent funding cuts have significantly impacted how much food we can provide. But we've faced challenges before – natural disasters, The Great Recession, the pandemic — and we've always done all we can to support the families who rely on us to put food on the table. I know how fortunate we are to have a network of 130 amazing partners charities and a community who believe in our work. Together we CAN grow hope in our region by creating pathways to nutritious food. If you believe no Ohioan should go hungry, act now. Call U.S. Congresswoman Kaptur at (419) 259-7500 or email Marcy.Kaptur@mail.house.gov and tell her: These programs are vital. These cuts are unacceptable. Thank you for all you do for our community. We couldn't do it without you. Julie Chase-Morefield President and CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio