MONROE COUNTY, Ohio — Food banks across the nation are grappling with a surge in demand and rising food prices, compounded by concerns over potential funding cuts in the governor’s proposed budget.
The Mid-Ohio Food Collective, which experienced its busiest year in history with 1.8 million service visits, is feeling the strain.
“As those numbers go up and up, we don’t see signs of them going down,” said Mike Hochron, Senior Vice President of Communications at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “But as needs stay at a high level, it really stretches our ability of how do we meet that need and to make sure we can keep getting nutritious food to the people where and when they need it.”
Locally, the Manna Food Bank in Woodsfield has seen a dramatic increase in demand, serving upwards of 180 families monthly, compared to 60 families a month in 2023. Christy Thomas of the Manna Food Bank highlighted the challenges they face.
“Right now we buy for two weeks,” Thomas said. “We get two truckloads a month. Now instead of us stockpiling the staples as they were available for free, and having that back there, now those pallets are empty. What we have is here on the shelves.”
The future of these food banks hinges on whether changes are made to the proposed budget before it is passed this summer. Thomas said they will continue to dig into their pockets to provide for local residents, but Hochron expressed concerns about the sustainability of relying solely on charity.
“We really don’t think that charity is going to be able to make up the difference if there are big cuts in government funding and government programs,” Hochron said. “That’s a lot to ask of our communities and local governments to make up.”
Leaders plan to reach out to elected officials to share their stories and emphasize how the budget could impact local communities.
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