Ohio’s food banks are struggling to keep shelves stocked amid rising costs and supply-chain disruptions.
- But those same issues are pushing even more people to turn to them for help.
Why it matters: More than 1.5 million Ohioans — one in eight of our neighbors — go hungry, according to Feeding America.
- The Ohio Association of Foodbanks says that some banks have been forced into rationing.
State of play: The association’s leaders are now urging lawmakers to spend federal pandemic relief funds or other cash reserves to address the critical need.
- Ohio has nearly $2 billion in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds, they note.
- The state’s rainy day fund has an unprecedented $7.4 billion, per a Pew States report.
- Food banks are requesting $50 million immediately, plus $133 million in long-term relief to prepare for a recession.
https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/06/22/ohio-association-food-banks-inflation