FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Expand / Collapse What does OASHF do?

  • Distributes tens of millions of pounds of food and other grocery items each year through our network to the people in Ohio who need it most.
  • Create and implement programs with public and private partners that provide resources for people who find themselves in emergency situations as well as individuals and families who experience longer term food insecurity.
  • Advocate for funding and support of hunger-related initiatives to secure the resources required to meet the nutritional needs of every hungry child, adult and senior citizen in Ohio.

Expand / Collapse Who does OASHF serve?

  • During State Fiscal Year 2011, OASHF and its network of providers served more than 7.8 million Ohioans.
  • 35% of those being served are children under the age of 18.
  • 14% of those served are seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes and cannot afford fluctuations in basic necessities such as utilities and prescription drugs.
  • 78% of households served by the emergency food programs in Ohio are classified as "food insecure."
  • One-half indicate choosing choose between paying for food or paying for heating/utilities.
  • One-third indicate choosing between paying for food or paying rent/mortgage.

Expand / Collapse How is OASHF funded?

  • Every two years, through the State of Ohio's biennial budget process, OASHF's food programs are funded by a grant from the Ohio General Assembly through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (contract manager) as well as by private and corporate donations.
  • OASHF's other programs are funded through a combination of grants and donations from foundations, corporations, the State of Ohio, and through donations from local individuals and their families.

Expand / Collapse Where does the food OASHF distributes come from?

  • OASHF's funding is used to purchase food through the Ohio Food Purchase and Agricultural Clearance Program, allowing OASHF to better meet the needs of the regional foodbanks and their agencies to supplement and enhance their food supplies. OFPACP enhances the regional foodbanks' local food purchase programs, the donated food items received, the USDA's The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
  • The Ohio Food Purchase Program is, at its core, a purchasing program. It receives bids, awards contracts and distributes food to foodbanks for distribution to emergency food providers.
  • The Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program works with Ohio's agricultural community and commodity groups to provide foodbanks with surplus and unmarketable agricultural products at production cost.

Expand / Collapse What is an emergency food provider?

An emergency food provider provides food to those in need. This network is comprised of food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and congregate meal sites.

  • A food pantry distributes food directly to consumers of the emergency food assistance network. Food pantries receive their food from local donations, regional foodbanks and private funding. Food pantries can take many forms. Learn more about the Choice Pantry System. For information on how to start a food pantry, contact your local foodbank.
  • Shelters house people in need. They vary from those who serve the homeless to those who help abused women and their children.
  • Soup Kitchens or Meal Sites are a location anyone can go for a free or low cost meal during the day.
  • Congregate or Residential Meal Sites refer to meal sites designated to serve a specific population i.e. a soup kitchen at a Senior Center which serves only lunch.

Expand / Collapse What is The Ohio Benefit Bank?

The OBB is an Internet-based program that helps low- and moderate-income individuals and families file and apply for state and federal tax credits, work supports and assistance programs.

The Ohio Benefit Bank provides help with:

  • State Income Tax Preparation
  • Federal Income Tax Preparation
  • Electronic Tax Filing
  • Fast Income Tax Refunds
  • Earned Income Tax Credits
  • Child Care Tax Credits
  • Child Care Subsidies
  • Health Care Coverage
  • Home Energy Assistance
  • Food Assistance/SNAP
  • Medicaid Health Insurance
  • And More!

Expand / Collapse How can I help?

There are many ways in which an individual, group or organization can get involived in the work done at OASHF. Visit our Get Involved page to connect with the work done at OASHF or contact your local foodbank to get involved locally.