A few days ago, one of our partners reminded me that it’s time to start planning for the annual food drives hosted by The Marietta Times and Parkersburg News and Sentinel each fall.
He was right, of course, but my first thought was, “Wow, this seems early.”
It’s not. The more time we spend preparing, the better we can serve those in need across the Mid-Ohio Valley.
But hunger doesn’t wait for fall.
The Growing Need for Food Assistance
Economic shifts and changes in food bank funding have made access to food more uncertain than ever. Right now, organizations and lawmakers are grappling with how to ensure families—especially children—don’t go hungry.
In Ohio, advocates are pushing for fully funded school meals for all public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade. A solid breakfast and lunch five days a week can make a life-changing difference for children facing food insecurity.
Former state Rep. Jay Edwards of Nelsonville wrote about this issue earlier this year in The Columbus Dispatch, reflecting on his experiences as both a legislator and an Appalachian resident.
“I’ve seen firsthand how child hunger erodes opportunities and limits potential,” he said.
He recalled heartbreaking stories of children being denied hot lunches due to unpaid school meal debts and the humiliation that comes with it. Recent polling shows that 67% of Ohio voters—and 73% in southeast Ohio—support free breakfast and lunch for all schoolchildren.
“If we want to be fiscally responsible with our investments in education, and if we want to honor every child’s life and hope in their future, we must make sure their most fundamental needs are met. Full and nourished bellies are a priority because hungry children cannot learn,” Edwards wrote.
Uncertain Federal Funding Threatens Food Banks
Beyond school meals, food banks across Ohio and West Virginia are facing serious challenges.
The Cleveland.com reported that the Greater Cleveland Food Bank is preparing for the loss of 20 semi-truckloads of food from the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program—cancellations that could begin as soon as next week.
Meanwhile, West Virginia is evaluating the impact of ending two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that provided vital support to schools and food banks: the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement programs.
Even without these changes, food insecurity is already overwhelming.
- WV FoodLink reports that West Virginia’s emergency food network serves around 300,000 residents each year.
- The Ohio Association of Foodbanks’ 2024 annual report states that between July 2023 and June 2024, Ohio’s food banks provided 244 million meals to nearly 16 million people.
- Purchased and donated food account for about half of the food Ohio’s food banks distribute.
Take Action Now—Hunger Won’t Wait
While we’re busy planning our annual food drives, the reality is that families in our communities need help today.
If you’re able, consider donating to local food banks now. Support organizations that provide meals to children and families. And talk to your state lawmakers about the solutions you believe can make a difference.
The need is urgent. Uncertainty is not a hungry child’s friend. Let’s be part of the solution—starting now.
