Columbus City Council passes emergency funding for Mid-Ohio Food Collective

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- More than 1.5 million Ohioans risk losing access to vital food assistance dollars on Saturday.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has said that those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, may not get their November benefits if the federal shutdown continues.

In Franklin County, nearly 175,000 people rely on SNAP benefits, so the Columbus City Council is trying to help and issuing a call to action.

"We find it unacceptable for this federal government not to do its job. The city of Columbus will try to step in and we know it's only $25,000, so it's not to solve the issue, but hopefully to be a catalyst to see what churches can do this weekend, what individual folks can do this weekend," Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said. 

Columbus City Council passed $25,000 in emergency funding to support the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. MOFC is bracing for more people in need as many risk losing access to SNAP benefits this Saturday if the federal government does not reopen.

"We know that the work that we do in the charitable food system is dwarfed by how much support comes out of federal programs, and we can't possibly replace that. So we are expecting more families. We'll have to figure out how to make the resources work," MOFC Senior Vice President of Communications Mike Hochron said. 

"Last night, this morning, every story was about how folks were preparing to not have food next Monday. And you can't just keep watching that and just think about the fear that these families are going to have who are dependent on SNAP benefits. Some things are just about providing hope," Hardin said. 

Council hopes the action will encourage others around the community to get involved and give back.

"We're reaching a point where every little bit of help is going to make a difference," Hochron said. 

If you or a loved one is in need of food assistance or if you are looking to help out, you can find resources here.