Media Coverage

Food banks are open as usual during this federal government shutdown, as concerns are rising for what might happen with benefits if the situation drags on.

"We've very rarely seen long-term shutdowns that have led to actual impacts on public benefit access," said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks.

Novotny said that means for October, those receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Women, Infants and Children food program should have no concerns.

But if the shutdown goes beyond this month, "then there will be different scenarios to take into consideration" when it comes to SNAP or WIC.

From federal workers facing layoffs to delays in vital services, millions of Americans could be affected.

The uncertainty is making many worry, especially federal employees. One of the industries that could be affected by a shutdown is food banks.

Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks, said it would depend how long the shutdown would last. She said if it lasts for a few days or weeks, we may not see any major disruptions in access to public benefits or services.

“But after a little bit of time, if the shutdown does continue, that’s when we would see a real impact first on federal employees and contractors and other folks that are directly paid by the federal government also some potential impacts on staffing that supports access to other programs, but for the immediate, we’re not hugely concerned on access to hunger relief or access to food because of the shutdown,” said Novotny.

Novotny said the last government shutdown was in 2018. She believes it lasted about 35 days. She said they had some issues with people using public benefits like SNAP which caused a lot of uncertainty.

Novotny also said that their main concern is the uncertainty. She said people already have a hard time meeting their basic needs and stretching their incomes far enough to pay their bills and put food on the table.

She said adding another uncertainty in the mix is tough and can be concerning for those wondering what’s coming. But they’re working closely with their partners at the state agencies to communicate transparently with Ohioans who could be impacted by the delays and interruptions.

Ohio and Michigan food banks are joining forces with Kroger in Two States, One Plate, a community meal-packing event that will yield 25,000 meal kits for families in need.

“Half of the kits will remain in Ohio for distribution, and the other half will go to Michigan for distribution,” a Kroger spokesman said. “All will go to Feeding America food bank partners.”

Kroger’s Ohio and Michigan divisions are working with the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, both part of the Feeding America network.

Volunteers are needed for the packing event at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday. People can choose one, two, or all three shifts to pack the meal kits full of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.

The shifts are 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m., and 2 to 4 p.m. Sign-ups are available at bit.ly/3KcYYAy.

The area’s largest food bank, Second Harvest Food Bank, earlier this year saw the loss of a key federal food shipment worth more than $200,000. That food, already gathered, appears to have gone to no one.

Second Harvest Food Bank, a member of Feeding America and the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, serves the tri-county community by sourcing, collecting, storing and distributing 6 million pounds of food to 65 non-profit member agencies who feed the hungry directly.

Waiting for guidance. As states start to feel the impact of President Trump’s tax law, the popular “Big Beautiful Bill,” Ohio’s benefits programs wait for the next steps to change Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a food assistance program nearly 1.5 million Ohioans utilize, according to The Ohio Association of Foodbanks’ estimate.

The SNAP dates back to the Great Depression and, according to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, is still “our nation’s first line of defense against hunger.”

Additionally, there are 3 million people who teeter on the edge of the eligibility requirements, 30% of Ohio’s population. Impending changes to the program are currently outlined, with additional work-reporting requirements for nearly all individuals seeking benefits.

“So, there’s a lot more people that don’t have anywhere else to turn,” Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, said. “They’re not poor enough to qualify for SNAP but might still find themselves facing budget shortfalls.”

As states start to feel the impact of President Trump’s tax law, Ohio’s benefits programs await guidance on changes to SNAP.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dates back to the Great Depression and, according to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, is still “our nation’s first line of defense against hunger.”

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks estimates that over 1.4 million people utilize SNAP benefits to afford groceries. But there are three million people who teeter on the edge of the eligibility requirements – 30% of Ohio’s population. Impending changes to the program are currently outlined, with additional work-reporting requirements for all individuals seeking benefits.

“So there’s a lot more people that don’t have anywhere else to turn,” said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. “They’re not poor enough to qualify for SNAP but might still find themselves facing budget shortfalls.”