Food Banks

Southeastern Ohio has some of the highest rates of hunger in the state. But some folks in Perry County have found a way to help, one pig at a time.

Hilliard Food Pantry Board President Kyle Koppenhoefer said the community has donated around $100,000 and 20,000 pounds of food since the Sunday fire.

Low-income families in Ohio have been receiving additional food stamp benefits for the last two years. Food banks across the state expect a surge as the federal pandemic aid ends.

Ohio's food banks have asked for $50 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds, saying the situation is "severe."

The leader of a statewide food banks association said the need is up and donations are down as inflation shrinks the food supply.

High food and gas prices are squeezing working families, sending some to food pantries for the first time. But providers are struggling with high costs, fewer donations and supply chain woes.

Mid-Ohio Food Collective's new market is located on Norton Road in the former Kroger supermarket building.

Those safety net services are now struggling with the same issues the people they serve are trying to manage.

Officials said Wednesday that the masks will be delivered in the coming months, and are expected to reach an estimated 12 to 15 million vulnerable Americans.

Unemployment and financial problems from the pandemic have brought millions of people to food banks, which are serving 150,000 more Ohioans per month than…