Columbus Foundation Donates $500K to Food Pantries as Ohio Faces SNAP Benefits Cut
As Central Ohio braces for a possible halt in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning November 1, The Columbus Foundation has stepped up with a $500,000 emergency investment to support 21 local food pantries across the region.
The donation comes as the threat of a federal government shutdown looms, potentially leaving 1.3 million Ohioans without the monthly SNAP funds they rely on to purchase food. Currently, Ohio distributes around $263.4 million in SNAP benefits each month, averaging $190 per household.
The foundation’s Governing Committee approved the half-million-dollar grant on October 27, just days before the expected lapse in benefits. According to Dan Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management, the foundation acted swiftly after identifying urgent community needs and resource shortages among local food pantries.
“None of these pantries requested assistance,” said Sharpe. “We take our role seriously in monitoring pressing community needs and supporting the top-performing organizations meeting those challenges.”
Funds will be distributed immediately to food pantries including:
- Bishop Griffin Resource Center
- Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center
- Gladden Community House
- Mid-Ohio Market at HEART
- Stowe Mission of Central Ohio
- Worthington Resource Pantry
- LifeCare Alliance
- Victory Ministries
- Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM)
- And others across Franklin County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP, announced that it may not have sufficient funding to continue November payments if the shutdown persists. As of October 22, the shutdown is the second-longest in U.S. history, and if it extends past November 5, it will become the longest ever.
Legislative Efforts to Sustain SNAP
Lawmakers from Ohio, including U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, have co-sponsored the Keep SNAP Funded Act, a bill designed to maintain SNAP operations during the shutdown. Meanwhile, State Rep. Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) has urged Gov. Mike DeWine to use funds from the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” to cover the benefits gap.
Resources for Families Facing Food Insecurity
Local organizations are working around the clock to support affected families. Franklin County Job and Family Services is urging residents to plan ahead and locate nearby food pantries through resources like FreshTrak.com and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s “Find Food Now” tool.
Community members are also rallying online, sharing food resources and restocking neighborhood “blessing boxes” with nonperishable items.
Where to Find Free Meals in Columbus
- Trinity Episcopal Church (Capitol Square, 3rd & Broad): Free Sunday meal every week.
- East Side Grace Brethren Church (7510 E. Broad St.): Free dinner Thursdays, 6–7:30 p.m.
- Food Not Bombs: Free meals every Saturday at multiple Columbus locations, including Parsons Ave., Cleveland Ave., and Sullivant Ave.
With the potential loss of SNAP benefits, these local efforts and The Columbus Foundation’s rapid response underscore the power of community action in times of crisis.
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