MIAMI VALLEY — The State of Ohio just freed up millions of dollars to help people put food on their tables during the ongoing government shutdown.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) will provide $7 million to regional food banks across the state.
For the Dayton and Cincinnati region, the Shared Harvest Foodbank in Fairfield will get $1.4 million.
They will split it up among food banks across the Miami Valley.
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The Dayton Food Bank will receive approximately $420,000 to serve Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties.
The Ohio Foodbank Association’s Executive Director, Joree Novotny, said the funds were much greater before the shutdown.
“We’re usually moving in and out $32 million worth of food every month across the state already,” Novotny said.
However, Novotny said anything will help at this time.
“We’re very grateful for the additional $7 million to help buy food, but it’s not going to fill all the gaps,” Novotny said.
Local food banks and pantries are seeing an even greater need because federal workers are not getting paychecks.
“Yesterday, we served 145 clients. Today, we served 129,” Greene County Fish Pantry Executive Director Mike Reeves said. “We did 25 brand new families. Today, it was about 15. Almost every one of them says it’s due to snap issues.”
Some local restaurants have also stepped up to help.
In Dayton, the Root Beer Stand on Woodman Drive said kids on SNAP can stop by and eat for free.
“I was like, if we all just do a little, we can help so many,” restaurant owner Emily Collins said.
Since starting the offer earlier this week, Collins said her business doubled in a time when it’s usually slow.
“I bet we’re pushing 100 meals in the last day and a half,” she said.
The Root Beer Stand will continue to offer free kids’ meals as long as there is a need.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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