Representatives of the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank say state and federal cuts will impact how much they can help Tuscarawas County residents experiencing hunger.
Spokesperson Raven Gayheart says proposed cuts at both the state and national levels would decrease the agency’s food supply by 10 percent, or 4.5 million pounds of food.
Gayheart says the state budget has not been finalized, so supporters have time to contact their state representatives.
The Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry last year distributed 2.5 million pounds of food last year and feeds 700 to 800 families every week.
“The extended inflation, the cost of groceries, and other necessities has really just put a burden on local families, and if they’re just really having a hard time meeting all the requirements in their budget.”
The local food pantry purchases its food from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank at about a 96 percent discount from what it would cost at the grocery store.
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