Food Pantries Across Ohio Struggle to Meet Demands

A year after drastic cuts in the state budget slashed funding for many safety net services, thousands of Ohioans are continuing to struggle.

The faces of those in need are also changing as food pantries report serving three times the number of clients.

Nicole Schmidt, AmeriCorps VISTA member, stationed at the Willard Hope Center in Huron County, says its older Ohioans and those of working age who have lost their job or are under-employed that are coming in, not to mention a good number of children.

Schmidt Comments:

Jim Kell with the Adventist Food Pantry in Lima says he opened the Pantry in April of 2009 expecting to serve about 100 people a month, and says lately, the Pantry is serving over 350 clients a month, many of whom have been laid-off.

Kell Comments:

Linda Vopat, Director of Human Services for the City of Maple Heights, says the City opened a food pantry almost two years ago, and says since then, the number of families served has nearly quadrupled.

She says there is a large segment of the population who will need help for a long time to come.

Vopat Comments:

Increased demand is stretching the resources of food pantries and soup kitchens, and many say without the help of community donations, they would not be able to meet the need.

Lawmakers did retain funding for the state's foodbanks in the budget, which providers say was a tremendous help.  However, advocates say lawmakers should continue to craft policies that will help people get back on their feet.