Millions of Americans to Lose SNAP Benefits
With the government shutdown over, the SNAP program has resumed — but millions of Americans will soon lose benefits permanently. Read more at Politico.com.
Category: Eliminate Hunger and Poverty
SNAP Funding to Disappear November 1
Hamilton County Commissioners heard from local leaders today about the potential impact of the federal government shutdown on SNAP benefits. Without federal action, benefits for 97,000 Hamilton County residents — totaling $19.1 million in monthly food assistance — will not be funded beginning November 1, leaving families without critical support and affecting our local economy.
You can help! Click HERE to donate today.
Government Shutdown Hits Cincinnati Workers
As the shutdown continues, Cincinnati’s 15,000 federal government workers face growing uncertainty and financial stress — and this week, many workers marked their first missed paycheck. Organizations like Freestore Foodbank are already reporting longer lines as families struggle to cope with high grocery prices and missing wages. For those who live paycheck to paycheck, the shutdown may soon force hard choices between food and other necessities.
You can help NEEDS support families affected by the shutdown! Please click HERE to donate today.
Increasing Needs Put Pressure on the Pantry
As needs in our community increase, it’s a struggle to keep pantry shelves stocked. Check out pantry coordinator Maureen’s interview with Fox 19 HERE.
Shop at Kroger and Support NEEDS!
Do you shop for groceries at Kroger? If so, there’s an easy way to support NEEDS with each purchase! With the Kroger Community Rewards program, you can link your Kroger shopper’s card to NEEDS. Kroger makes annual donations to participating organizations — and the more you spend, the more NEEDS will benefit!
To participate, simply visit https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards to select NEEDS as your Community Rewards organization.
First, make sure you have a digital account for your shopper’s card. You can create one by clicking the “Create Account” button in the top right corner.
On the Kroger Community Rewards page, click “Link Shopper’s Card”:
Search for “NEEDS” in the list of participating organizations:
Once you click the “enroll” button, you will see a confirmation screen. That’s it! Each time you buy groceries for your family, you’ll be helping to feed other hungry families in our community.
Buy a Duck, Feed a Child!
Freestore Foodbank supports over 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations in the tristate area — including NEEDS. You can join their fight against hunger by participating in this year’s Rubber Duck Regatta!
This virtual event is a great opportunity to help feed our neighbors, with each purchase of five ducks providing up to 75 meals. Participants have the chance to win prizes ranging from a $10,000 grand prize to weekly grocery or gas money for a year.
Click HERE to join the fun!
Planned SNAP Cuts to Increase Food Insecurity
“The planned cuts to SNAP and USDA food assistance programs are expected to increase the number of people experiencing food insecurity and place even greater pressure on food banks, food pantries, and community-based food programs,” according to Food Rescue US, an organization that works to reduce food waste by redirecting excess to those in need.
In 2023, Food Rescue US notes, “nearly 47.4 million Americans experienced food insecurity, including 13.8 million children.” Federal budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) signed into law last month will reduce the assistance available to struggling families. In 2024, NEEDS provided food and emergency financial aid to more than 2,200 families; as cuts take effect, the need in our community is expected to become even greater.
Read the full post here: Food Rescue US July Newsletter
Freestore Foodbank Hunger Walk 2025
Freestore Foodbank supports over 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations in the tristate area — including NEEDS! You can join their fight against hunger by participating in the Hunger Walk and 5K this Memorial Day.
Click HERE to join the NEEDS team! Whether you register to walk or simply make a donation, you’ll be helping the Freestore and NEEDS to provide food to hungry families in our community.
For full Hunger Walk details, visit cincinnatihungerwalk.org
Volunteers Needed for the Montgomery Market Gleaning Team
As the weather warms up, many of us are eager to head to the farmers’ market for delicious local produce. But did you know that farmers’ markets are also a great source of fresh food for our neighbors in need? Gleaning teams collect unsold food to donate for hunger relief — and thanks to these volunteers, the NEEDS pantry receives fresh produce all summer long!
You can help by joining the Montgomery Market team! Contact Sue Plummer at the Society of St. Andrew to learn more.
Thank You, Freestore Foodbank!
In 2023, NEEDS served an unprecedented number of families — and ran out of freezer space to store enough food for our clients. The Freestore Foodbank, whose mission is to fight hunger in the tristate area, generously provided a new freezer for the pantry to use.
Pantry coordinators Janie and Maureen shared this note of thanks to our partners at the Freestore:
“Thank you for purchasing a freezer for the NEEDS food pantry. We certainly needed it! As you can see in the second picture below, it’s already fully utilized. The number of families visiting our pantry in 2023 was double the neighbors we served two years ago. With that increase, we needed more freezer capacity. This new freezer is a TRUE BLESSING!!!
Please share our thanks with the Freestore team. We appreciate the ability to get food and household products at a reduced price and to get items that we need to run our pantry efficiently.
The volunteers and the people we serve thank you for your service to our community.”
Learn more about how you can help meet the needs of our neighbors here: https://cincyneeds.org/donate-volunteer/