In the News

Current Population Survey Paints a Stark Picture of the Nation's Economy

Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks Press Release 9.16.10

COLUMBUS - The Census Bureau released the official figures on poverty in 2009 in their Current Population Survey (CPS) this morning and to no one’s surprise, the picture painted by the survey of our nation’s economy is not good. The CPS surveys around 100,000 addresses and is the official source of nationwide poverty data. On both the number of Americans considered to be in poverty and the percentage of the nation’s population in poverty, both are said to have seen a record one-year increase based on data collected since 1959 when the CPS was first administered.
Read the Press Release (PDF)

Resources should go to end child hunger

By Nora Nees, Director of Child and Senior Nutrition, OASHF
Columbus Dispatch Editorial 8.7.10
Along with millions of other Americans, I watched the NBC Dateline episode on July 25 that focused on the Friends & Neighbors food pantry in Athens County and hungry families living in the area.The subsequent outpouring of support for the pantry has been tremendous and reflects all that is good about my country: compassion, generosity, community and taking care of our own...Americans face difficult choices. This economic downturn will be felt for generations, and Congress and the White House are grappling with how to pay for solutions to many serious problems. Read the Editorial (PDF)

FMAP Information & Resources

"Summary of Provisions included in: Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act"
By Nora Nees and Danielle Gray, Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks
Read the Summary (PDF)
Sample SNAP Cuts Concerns in FMAP and Educational Jobs Bill Letter (Word)

No Sophies Choice

Toledo Blade Editorial 8.10.10
The House is scheduled to vote today on emergency legislation that would save the jobs of teachers nationwide, including 5,000 in Ohio, and help recession-battered states such as Ohio and Michigan address shortfalls in their Medicaid budgets. These goals are urgent, but the method used by the Senate to pay for the $26.1 billion measure - cutting future food stamp benefits - is unacceptably cynical. Read the editorial

Food stamps or teachers? Congress takes from one to pay for the other

By Stephen Koff, The Plain Dealer 8.7.10
WASHINGTON -- It was food stamps versus teachers, and food stamps lost. Read the article.

Feeding America Statement to the House on H.R. 5504 8.6.10 PDF

Food-stamp cuts may aid Medicaid

By Jack Torry and Catherine Candinsky, The Columbus Dispatch 8.4.10
Starting in June 2014, a family of four could lose $59 a month in food benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, OASHF Executive Director, shares,"A hungry kid can't learn. In the deepest recession of our lifetimes, Congress proposes to take food off the plates of hungry children to give more money to doctors, hospitals and profitable corporations. Last time I checked, you can't eat a Medicaid card." Read the article

Thousands Turn Out for Free Farmers Market

By Jamila T. Williams, The Morning Journal 7.30.10
LORAIN — Fresh vegetables, fruits, breads and pastries were all available for free yesterday at
the Third annual Free Farmer’s Market. An estimated 2,950 people armed with coolers, bags and carts, came out to take advantage of the free food, sponsored by Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and Lorain Cooperative Ministry. Read the article or view the video

27J Administrators Participate in Poverty Simulation

By Christine Hollister, The Brighton Standard Blade 7.28.10
Administrators and staff of Brighton School District 27J participated in a poverty simulation at Brighton High School. Dustin Speakman, OASHF Director of Community Services was the facilitator for the simulation. Read the article: 27J School District Poverty Simulation

Friends and Neighbors Dateline Special - Information and Resources Links

Watch the full episode: America Now: Friends and Neighbors
More information and an update is available on Dateline.
To donate or learn more, please visit: www.friends-n-neighbors.org
Read the article by Connie Schultz, Cleveland Plain Dealer 7.28.10:
"Even a Short Glimpse at Poverty in Ohio's Appalachia is Enough to Break Hearts"

Ohio's Farmers Join in Fight Against Hunger at the Ohio State Fair

COLUMBUS – Ohio’s egg farmers are using the Ohio State Fair, which runs July 28-August 8, as an opportunity to help combat hunger in the Buckeye state. During each day of the fair, the Ohio Poultry Association (OPA) will donate one dozen eggs to the local foodbank for each kid’s meal that is purchased at the poultry booth in the Taste of Ohio Café. In addition, OPA will offer breakfast one day only from 5:30-9:30 a.m. on August 2. For each breakfast purchased on this day, Ohio’s egg farmers will contribute a dozen eggs to hungry Ohioans.
Read the press release: Ohio Poultry Association Press Release 7.27.10

OBB Annual Community Meeting and Training 2010

The 2010 Ohio Benefit Bank Community Meeting and Training, taking place September 1-2, will focus on providing a variety of educational and informational sessions to Benefit Bank Counselors and Program Partners in the areas of outreach and education, policy, and resource development.
View Details and Register Online: Information & Registration

State News Bureau Interview

The State News Bureau's State of Ohio program the week of June 13 featured an interview with Lisa Hamler-Fugitt on the 2010 Summer Food Service Program and the critital role this program fills in the fight against childhood hunger in Ohio.
Listen to the interview (starts at 8:30 minutes): The State of Ohio

HARCATUS Hosting HealthPath Events

HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization partnered with OASHF and the Health Path Foundation of Ohio to host three Ohio Benefit Bank capacity building events in the Harrison, Carroll and Tuscarawas counties area.
Read the WTUZ Radio interview online: WTUZ interview

HealthPath Public Service Announcement

In parthership with the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio has joined to support local organizations in expanding Ohio Benefit Bank services.
View the PSA: PSA (Requires Windows Media Player)

Walmart Commits $2 Billion to Help End Hunger in the U.S.

Ohio Families to benefit from Walmart's multi-year commitment of more than
1 billion meals in response to growing hunger need. 5.12.10
Read the press release: Walmart Foundation Announcement (PDF)

Walmart Makes Big Pledge to Foodbanks

By Tim Feran, The Columbus Dispatch. 5.13.10
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to add to the nation's food-bank larder in a big way with $2 billion in cash and other gifts over the next five years. The initiative, "Fighting Hunger Together," includes more than 37 million donated meals to food banks across Ohio. At least a dozen food banks in Ohio will benefit from the initiative, including the Mid-Ohio FoodBank in Grove City.
Read the article: Walmart Foundation (PDF)

Foodbank Representatives Tour Egg Farm

By Marla K. Kuhlman, ThisWeek. 5.1.10
Food bank representatives of hunger provider organizations across Ohio visited Croton's Ohio Fresh Eggs to learn more about how eggs are produced in the state and to see the farm firsthand.
Read the article: Hillandale Farm/Ohio Fresh Eggs Croton Tour (PDF)

Crisis Becomes Calamity as Jobs Vanish

By Dennis J. Willard , Beacon Journal Columbus Bureau 4.14.10
Ranks of working poor grow, aid stretched thin, as economy nose dives throughout Ohio.
Read the article: Crisis Becomes Calamity (PDF)

Growing Need: Report: Pantries, soup kitchens faced hunger spike in 2009

By Catherine Candisky, The Columbus Dispatch. 3.31.10
Read the report: Growing Need (PDF, 135k)

Hunger in Ohio 2010

The "Hunger in Ohio 2010" Report shows an increasing number of Ohioans are in need. Both the findings and the full report are available for review and download on the Publications page.

Harvest for Hunger 2010 - Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank kicked off the Harvest for Hunger 2010 Campaign on February 24th. The goal this year is to raise $700,000. View a video and learn more about this critical campaign by clicking here.

Statewide Egg Donation 2010

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Poultry Association (OPA) and Ohio’s egg farmers continued to play an active role in their local communities by once again teaming up with the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) for the third year to donate more than one million eggs statewide. Read the news release: Statewide Egg Donation 2010 (PDF, 20k) 3.23.10

Numerous Opportunities to Support President's Call to Action Supported by the OASHF

Read the release: Call to Action Supported by OASHF