ProgressOhio

Regional food banks and local pantries and soup kitchens need our help.  High winds, which were the remnants of Hurricane Ike, impacted Ohio Sunday, September 14, 2008 with residual continuing effects.  Massive power outages left an estimated 2 million residential and business customers without power throughout the State – full power restoration is not expected until next week. 

Without the power needed to keep refrigerators and freezers operating, Ohioans were forced to throw away spoiling food.  For too many Ohioans this meant throwing away food without any idea of how they could replenish it.  These Ohioans are now turning to our soup kitchens and our food pantries, but many food pantries remain closed due to power outages.  Others are open with long lines and inventories dwindling.   

Demand is up – a 20% increase in many places – and supplies are running low.   

You can help in two very important ways:

• Encourage donations for food banks.  People who want to help local food banks should consider financial contributions.  While food drives can help, financial donations are currently being encouraged as they allow food banks to purchase high protein, perishable items through bulk purchasing.  Donations are being sent through the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (http://www.oashf.org/).   This will allow food banks to purchase additional foods.  Please consider posting this information in your organization's bulletin and handing it out over the weekend.

Click here to donate today.  Please write "Emergency Relief" in the designation line.  Please consider posting this information in your organization's bulletin and handing it our over the weekend.

Donations may also be mailed to:

Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks

51 North High St, suite 671

Columbus, OH  43215

(Please mark your donation for "Emergency Relief")

• Spread the word about replacement of food stamp benefits.  Current food stamp recipients who have lost food due to the extended power outages can get replacement food stamps.  Those impacted must go to their local county office of the Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) within 10 days and fill out form #07222 and declare the value of their lost food to get replacement food stamps.

Click here to download a request for replacement of food stamps benefits.  Please help us spread the word by sending this form out to your contacts, post the information in your organization's bulletin, hand the form out this weekend, etc.    

Thank you for all the work you already do – and thank you in advance for all the work you have done to support those in need during this time.