Food bank needs help

SANDUSKY — A local food bank that supplies pantries in Erie and Huron counties seeks donations, fearing an influx of hungry people if government food benefits are cut off. An end to SNAP food benefits, also known as "food stamps," is apparently days away, according to an email sent out to supporters by Julie Chase-Morefield, the executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio. SNAP is shortened from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. "As Nov. 1 approaches, the likelihood of SNAP being halted is more certain: The (U.S. Department of Agriculture) confirmed on Oct. 24 that November benefits will not be issued unless Congress appropriates funds and authorizes benefits," Chase-Morefield wrote. Chase-Morefield underscored how it's a "grave concern" for the nearly 56,000 individuals in her nonprofit's immediate service area who rely on SNAP. From this amount, nearly half of the people are children. Regardless of age, all of these individuals "have no way to bridge the gap," she wrote. Based in Lorain County, Second Harvest supplies that county's food pantries, but it also provides food aid for charities in Erie, Huron and Crawford counties, Chase-Morefield explained in a telephone interview. Erie County charities that get food from Second Harvest include Father's Heart Food Ministry, the Salvation Army, Care and Share, OHgo and New Day Sandusky. The Salvation Army chapters in Milan and Vermilion also get help. In Huron County, supported charities include Huron Helping Hands Food Pantry and Christ Community Meal. Many families who receive SNAP don't come to such food pantries, but plenty of them may suddenly show up if federal food benefits are cut off, Chase-Morefield said. Nationwide, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program is used by about 42 million Americans every year. The average benefit is about $187 per recipient per month, according to an article on the website of Reason magazine. Second Harvest's board has authorized emergency spending of $500,000 to buy up to 600,000 pounds of food. How to help The food bank is also asking for donations to be made via the group's website, secondharvestfoodbank.org. Donations may be made via credit card or through services such as Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo and bank transfers. Chase-Morefield is also asking for people to volunteer their time for Second Harvest, via the website, and to call federal lawmakers to ask for help, including U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo; U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green; and Ohio's two Republican U.S. senators, Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted. There are some efforts to keep SNAP benefits going. Husted announced Tuesday that he has joined the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025, which would provide funding for SNAP during the government shutdown. "About 1.4 million Ohioans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Ohio families shouldn't pay the price for Washington's political games," Husted said. "I will continue to vote to reopen the government, and I urge my Senate Democratic colleagues to do the same. But for now, we cannot allow millions of innocent Americans to go without the benefits they rely on." U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, is the main author of the measure. Prospects for immediate passage seemed unclear. The shutdown was caused by a partisan dispute in Congress. Republicans backed a measure that would have continued government funding for several weeks until a more permanent budget deal was reached. Democrats have refused to support the measure, holding out for increased spending to head off increases in the cost of Obamacare health insurance coverage. The New York Times reported this week that as the shutdown continues, funding also may be cut off for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, or WIC, for the program that helps poor people pay for heating in the winter and for Head Start programs.