Ohio Food Bank Faces Funding Crisis Amidst Rising Demand

Amidst Budget Cuts, Ohio Food Bank Faces Growing Demand Columbus, Ohio – The Mid-Ohio Food Collective, the state's largest food bank, is facing a surge in demand as budget cuts threaten its ability to serve the 35,000 families it feeds weekly. The cuts, a consequence of recent austerity measures, have significantly reduced the funds available to the organization, leaving many families, like that of Shannon Follins, a single mother in Columbus, struggling with food insecurity. "I'm praying like the budget don't get cut because I don't think nobody realize how many families are going to be affected." said Follins, whose family is one of many relying on the food bank's assistance. Matt Habash, the director of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, explains the situation: "Cost of food has gone up, the cost of insurance has gone up, daycare is expensive; all of those things continue to climb. And if your income is going up and not going up as fast, then you're coming to get food." The food bank recorded over 1.8 million visits last year, a testament to the growing need in the community. The budget bill currently underway in Washington could further reduce the food bank's funding, jeopardizing its ability to provide crucial support to families struggling to make ends meet. The video serves as a poignant reminder of the real-life consequences of government policies and the ongoing struggle against food insecurity.