More Ohioans face food insecurities as COVID-era welfare programs end

NORTHRIDGE — With the end of the pandemic welfare, including lax SNAP benefits and qualifications, more Ohioans experienced food insecurities that non-profit organizations attempted to remedy.

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One in eight Ohioans, and one in seven Ohioan children, faced food shortages, according to Feeding America.

Due to these food insecurities, food banks reported up to a 50 percent increase in foot traffic at their locations and their mobile food pantries.

The uptick in the number of people using the services provided by a food bank came right as COVID-era SNAP benefits came to a halt in February, according to officials working at these non-profit organizations. The halt caused many individuals and families to no longer receive benefits of up to $250 per month.

“We’re seeing those clients that were not utilizing the food pantries, they’re also coming back. So, now we’ve got the ones affected by the inflation versus the ones that are relying on us because they lost the extra food stamps,” With God’s Grace Executive Director Nicole Adkins told News Center 7 Reporter Xavier Hershovitz.

The extra number of people visiting the food pantry has caused more strain on the supply and support. As a result, the organization was always looking for additional volunteers and donations.

For more information, you can visit their website.

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