Cleveland Steps Up as Federal Food Aid Hits a Wall
A Community Effort
In a tough spot, Cleveland is stepping in to help. A big group of local leaders, charities, and even sports teams have come together to raise $600,000. This money is for emergency food aid.
The Crisis
190,000 people in Cuyahoga County are about to lose their SNAP benefits. That's a lot of people who might not have enough to eat.
The federal government is shut down, meaning no money is coming in for SNAP, also known as food stamps. The $600,000 raised is just a band-aid. It might only cover one month's worth of food. But it's a start.
The Impact
Congresswoman Shontel Brown made it clear: the government shutdown isn't ending soon. That means no SNAP benefits for November. The money raised is from various sources, including:
- Cleveland and Cuyahoga County
- Foundations
- Churches
- The Cavs, Guardians, and Browns
But no one knows exactly how much each gave.
The Plan
Leaders like Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive say this is just the beginning. If the shutdown drags on, more money will be needed.
Lillian Kuri, CEO of the Cleveland Foundation, said the funding is a one-month bridge. It will help the food bank buy extra food for November. They expect to give out six million pounds of food that month.
The Message
The message from all leaders was clear: real people are suffering because of political fights. City and county officials are doing what they can, but it's not enough to replace SNAP.
In Cuyahoga County, SNAP benefits are given out on a schedule. By the end of next week, nearly half of the 190,000 recipients will have missed their payments.
The Bigger Picture
Across Ohio, SNAP benefits help 1.4 million residents. Brown urged the federal government to use a contingency fund to keep benefits flowing. She's hopeful a lawsuit by 25 states will force the White House to act. The Trump administration says it can't use the fund, but the states argue it must.
The Call to Action
City Council President Blaine Griffin called the SNAP shortfall a humanitarian crisis. Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers said feeding people isn't a partisan issue.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is preparing for a surge in demand. They're expanding volunteer shifts and recruiting more help.
