Ohio Foodbanks began in 1985 to develop the federally funded Temporary
Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) within the state of Ohio. Working
in conjunction with the Department of Education and then the Ohio Department
of Agriculture and finally with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
the Ohio Foodbanks struggled through many years of programmatic development,
burdensome federal bureaucratic processes, repeated threats of cuts to the TEFAP
food sources, and the constant recognition that even in the best of times, the
food was generally in insufficient amounts to meet the growing needs of the
hungry Ohioans.
In response to the then gowning need for food, The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks in 1998 created the Ohio Food Program (OFP). Funded through a grant from the Ohio General Assembly, OFP provides shelf-stable and protein items to the regional foodbanks. Then in 1999, the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program (OACP) was established. This program purchases surplus and unmarketable fresh fruit and vegetables for Ohio's farming community. It is one of the most nutritional food sources available to the regional foodbanks and their member charities. Additionally, it helps Ohio's farming community move product that would otherwise be plowed under.
OASHF recognizes that many people served by our network are struggling with high prescription drug costs. The 2007 Annual “No Names, Please” survey, a snapshot of the needs of people standing in the food lines, found that 14% of those surveyed reported high prescription costs were the reason they had to rely on a food pantry. These respondents reported spending an average of $170 every month on prescriptions.
As Ohio falls deeper in to recession, food and fuel costs rise, factories close, and job growth stalls the demand on the emergency food assistance network grows. Through the Ohio Benefit Bank, Ohioans are able to apply for benefits they so desperately need in order to survive. These include Food Stamps, Medicaid, HEAP, Free and Reduced Prices Meals Lunch Program, Golden Buckeye Card, and WIC.
2009 State Budget Impact Survey
On July 17, 2009, Governor Ted Strickland signed the 2010/2011 State budget which will significantly reduce funding and eliminate program services for Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens. The Campaign to Protect Ohio’s Future believes that surveillance and documenting the impact of these cuts are critical to any and all future budget discussions. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share how these budget cuts are impacting the ability of your organization to provide needed services. Please complete the following short questionnaire by September 15, 2009. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Message from the Campaign Co-Chair’s
The Campaign to Protect Ohio’s Future needs your help to document the devastating effects of state cuts on services for Ohio’s citizens and on the agencies that provide those services. We recognize that with increasing needs and decreasing resources, it is even more difficult to take on another task. However, it is critical that human service providers – both public and private - document what is happening as a result of state budget cuts. We will use this information to educate the public and elected leaders to help restore funds badly needed in our communities. Please take a moment and share with us what your organization is experiencing.
The Campaign to Protect Ohio's Future is a coalition of health, human services, primary and secondary education and higher education organizations seeking to protect Ohio's most vulnerable citizens by restoring or adequately funding vital services through a responsible budget that has - as its primary priority - to meet basic human needs (food, shelter, clothing and medical care) and provide a safety net for the most vulnerable Ohioans. A responsible human services budget should ensure opportunity for low-income Ohioans to achieve self-sufficiency through education, training, work, and supportive services.
Gayle Channing Tenenbaum and Margaret Hulbert Co-Chairs, Campaign to Protect Ohio's Future
There are two ways to participate. Agencies can complete the survey online here or by completing the PDF Survey copy attached and retuning by fax 614.221.4338 ATTN: Lisa Hamler Fugitt or by mailing to:
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt,
Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks,
51 North High Street, Suite 761
Columbus, Ohio 43215
51 North High Street Suite 761
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614.221.4336 (p)
614.221.4338 (f)
Non-discrimination statement: Federal law and the policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or political beliefs.
To file a discrimination complaint, write or call:
USDA
Director, Office of Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(800) 795-3272
(202) 720-5964 (TTY)
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
