COLUMBUS, Ohio – A recent statewide survey highlights the significant financial pressures facing Ohio families who depend on food pantries. The study, conducted by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, found that many households are forced to balance the cost of food against other essential needs, including utilities and transportation.

Read in Somali ↓

The survey gathered responses from more than 2,600 food pantry visitors across 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, explained that families are seeking food assistance not just due to food budget shortfalls, but because of overall household budget challenges. Novotny stated, “So a lot are making trade offs between affording utilities or food, affording transportation or food, of course.”

These financial strains are not expected to ease in the near future, with 84% of those surveyed anticipating they will use food pantries as often or more often in the coming year.

The survey also underscored the vital role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Less than half of the pantry visitors surveyed participate in SNAP. According to Novotny, the majority of those not enrolled have incomes just above the qualification threshold. Food banks and pantries lack the capacity to fully replace the assistance SNAP provides; their efforts represent about one meal for every nine meals that SNAP offers to families experiencing hunger in Ohio.

Despite these challenges, food pantries are making a positive difference. Approximately four in 10 visitors surveyed reported valuing the ability to eat healthier due to the food they receive. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks emphasized that sustained support for food pantries will require ongoing assistance from state and federal partners, local donors, farmers, and food manufacturers.

Source: NBC4 Columbus Local — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Qoysaska Ohio oo Kala Dooranaya Cunto, Biilasha, iyo Gaadiidka, Sahan Cusub oo Shaaca Ka Qaaday

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Qoysaska Ohio ee ku tiirsan xarumaha cunnada ayaa la daalaa dhacaya in ka badan kharashka raashinka, sida lagu sheegay sahan cusub oo gobolka oo dhan ah oo muujinaya cadaadiska dhaqaale ee ballaaran ee haysta qoysaska.

Sahankan oo ay samaysay Ururka Bangiyada Cunnada ee Ohio (Ohio Association of Foodbanks) ayaa lagu wareystay in ka badan 2,600 oo qof oo booqday xarumaha cunnada ee ku yaalla 77 ka mid ah 88-da gobol ee Ohio. Ururku wuxuu ogaaday in qoysas badan ay isku dheelitirayaan kharashka cunnada iyo baahiyaha kale ee daruuriga ah, oo ay ku jiraan biilasha korontada iyo gaadiidka.

Joree Novotny, oo ah agaasimaha fulinta ee Ohio Association of Foodbanks, ayaa sheegtay in qoysasku ay inta badan u yimaadaan xarumaha cunnada si ay gargaar uga helaan, maadaama miisaaniyadooda guud ee qoyska ay hoos u dhacday. Novotny waxay tiri, “Waxay noo yimaadaan si ay gargaar cunto ah uga helaan, ma aha oo kaliya sababtoo ah waxaa laga yaabaa inay la kulmaan yaraanta miisaaniyadda cunnada, laakiin sababtoo ah waxay la kulmaan yaraanta miisaaniyadda guud ee qoyska.” Waxay intaa ku dartay, “Sidaa darteed, qaar badan ayaa iska beddelaya inay bixiyaan biilasha ama cunnada, ama gaadiidka ama cunnada, dabcan.”

Cadaadisyadan dhaqaale lama filayo inay dhawaan yaraadaan. Boqolkiiba 84 dadkii la wareystay ayaa sheegay inay filayaan inay isticmaalaan xarumaha cunnada si la mid ah ama ka badan sanadka soo socda.

Sahanku wuxuu kaloo iftiimiyay doorka Barnaamijka Kaalmada Nafaqada ee Dheeraadka ah (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP) ee wax ka qabashada gaajada. In ka yar kala bar dadkii booqday xarumaha cunnada ee la wareystay ayaa ka qaybqaata SNAP. Sida ay sheegtay Novotny, inta badan kuwa aan ka qaybqaadan waxay leeyihiin dakhli ka sarreeya xadka u qalmidda.

Ururka ayaa ka walaacsan in haddii SNAP ay adkaato in la helo, qoysas badan ay u soo jeesan karaan xarumaha cunnada si ay gargaar uga helaan. Novotny waxay sheegtay in bangiyada cunnada iyo xarumaha cunnadu aysan awood u lahayn inay beddelaan kaalmada SNAP ay bixiso. Waxay tiri, “Dadaalladayadu waxay u dhigmaan qiyaastii hal cunto oo ka mid ah sagaal cunto oo SNAP ay siiso qoysaska gaajada la daalaa dhacaya ee Ohio.”

Inkastoo caqabadaha dhaqaale ee haysta qoysaska, sahanku wuxuu ogaaday in xarumaha cunnadu ay saameyn wanaagsan leeyihiin. Qiyaastii afar ka mid ah tobankii booqde ee la wareystay ayaa sheegay inay qiimeeyaan awoodda ay u leeyihiin inay cunto caafimaad leh cunaan sababtoo ah cunnada ay helaan.

Ururka Bangiyada Cunnada ee Ohio ayaa sheegay in ilaalinta taageeradaas ay u baahan doonto kaalmo joogto ah oo ka timaada la-hawlgalayaasha gobolka iyo federaalka, deeq-bixiyeyaasha maxalliga ah, beeralayda, iyo soo-saarayaasha cunnada.

Xigasho: NBC4 Columbus Local