We are in the midst of the state budget season here in Ohio. The Ohio House has been working on the state budget for about two months now and just released their version on Tuesday April 1st. The House kept funding for Ohio’s statewide hunger relief network at $24.5 million per year, which is $7.5 million less per year than in the current state budget that ends June 30.
The Ohio foodbank network is thankful for the support of the State of Ohio. Foodbanks and food pantries cannot do the work they do without it. For nearly three decades, Ohio’s hunger relief network has had a proven track record of supporting the most vulnerable, while also lifting up Ohio’s main industry, agriculture.
We still have time to change this outcome, but we need your help. Please contact House leadership and House Finance Chair Stewart and Vice Chair Dovilla to support Ohio foodbanks in the state budget by including additional funding of $4.93 million, investing a total of $29.48 million per fiscal year into the Ohio Food Program and Agricultural Clearance Program to account for 5 years of record inflation. Hungry Ohioans deserve reliable services, like Ohio’s foodbanks and food pantries, that are adequately funded and able to meet the needs of their communities. Foodbanks and pantries cannot do that without the state’s support.
For more actions and to learn more about our funding request, you can check out our state budget action center here.