With the Thanksgiving holiday on the horizon, the Cuyahoga County Hunger Response Team is ramping up efforts to ensure that no resident is left struggling with food insecurity. This coalition, comprised of the County's Department of Health and Human Services, the Hunger Network, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, among other community organizations, has been actively addressing delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits distribution. According to Cuyahoga County, a statement from the County Executive Chris Ronayne, "No family should face the fear of an empty refrigerator because of delays or disruptions they can’t control."
Faced with the task of completing automated SNAP distributions, a small yet crucial portion of cases remained that necessitated manual intervention. The Cuyahoga Job and Family Services staff, as reported, were tasked with ensuring these cases received attention on Monday and Tuesday to deliver November benefits in time for Thanksgiving. "The Hunger Response Team is working every day to make sure residents have access to food," Ronayne told Cuyahoga County News.
The surge in demand for food assistance hasn't gone unnoticed, with the network's pantries serving an increasingly diverse group of households, noted Julie Johnson, the Hunger Network's Chief Operating Officer. When the need for volunteers became critical, the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management sent out a call to action, which resulted in over 106 volunteer shifts being staffed across 18 pantry locations. "Our network of pantries is serving more households than ever, families, seniors, working adults, who simply need help," said Johnson in a statement obtained by Cuyahoga County.
It's evident that the shutdown has exacerbated the hunger issue, with the Hunger Network reporting a 14% increase in the number of emergency food support cases since October. In an indication of how severe the situation has become, the average number of households aided by the food pantry sites has ballooned to 18,865. Kristin Warzocha, President & CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, highlighted the critical timing: "As we head into the holiday season, the demand for food remains high," she explained, as per Cuyahoga County.
For those in need, resources are accessible via a call to 2-1-1 or a visit to the Cuyahoga County Hunger Response Team website for a list of food pantries. Additionally, community members looking to make a difference can find opportunities to donate and volunteer through the same website.
