Ohio Association of Foodbanks

📢 URGENT: CALL HOUSE LEADERSHIP TODAY! 📢 The Ohio House's budget keeps foodbank funding at $24.5M per year which is $7.5M less than the current budget. This shortfall threatens food access for hundreds of thousands of Ohioans and weakens support for Ohio farmers and local jobs. We must act now to ensure foodbanks can continue feeding families. Call House leadership, Finance Chair Stewart, and Finance Vice Chair Dovilla today using the drop-down in our action alert and urge them to include $4.93M more, investing a total of $29.48M per year into the Ohio Food Program and Agricultural Clearance Program to account for 5 years of record inflation. Hungry Ohioans deserve reliable, adequately funded services, but foodbanks and pantries cannot do it alone, we need the state's support. Take action now! We have drafted a script and provided the phone numbers as well as an email you can send. Every call makes a difference, please make your voice heard. CALL NOW - https://lnkd.in/g88cnEVP Other actions here - https://lnkd.in/gwx38Esv

Happy AmeriCorps Week! 🎉 This week, we celebrate the dedicated AmeriCorps members, volunteers, grantees, sponsors, and alumni who are strengthening communities, transforming lives, and bringing people together. From disaster recovery to mentoring youth, expanding economic opportunity, and fighting food insecurity, AmeriCorps works for America. Today, on #PartnerAppreciationDay, we recognize those that make this work possible. Their commitment helps us provide meaningful service opportunities through AmeriCorps VISTA and SeniorCorps, empowering members to tackle critical needs across Ohio. What Ohio AmeriCorps VISTA Accomplished in 2024: ✔️ $1.5 million raised for host sites, including $1,090,125 in cash donations and $417,450 in in-kind contributions ✔️ 10,385 volunteers recruited and managed, contributing 133,666 hours of service ✔️ 359 new systems and processes developed to strengthen nonprofit capacity ✔️ 704 outreach events held to engage communities in solutions to hunger and poverty Our AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time, year-long roles at foodbanks, health clinics, afterschool programs, community action agencies, higher education institutions, and other nonprofits, helping to create sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty across Ohio. Their work strengthens organizations, enhances outreach, and expands services for those in need. To our AmeriCorps members and partners: Thank you for your dedication, service, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Your work changes lives, and we’re proud to stand with you. https://lnkd.in/gs9GqM6Y

Yesterday, our Executive Director, Joree Novotny, testified before the Ohio House Children and Human Services Committee on HB 96, urging lawmakers to restore funding for the Ohio Food Program and Agricultural Clearance Program (OFPACP) to $36.98 million per year. With more Ohioans turning to foodbanks than ever before, public-private partnerships remain essential. Governor DeWine’s proposed budget cuts hunger relief funding by $7.5 million per year—a 23% reduction in resources to procure and distribute fresh, Ohio-grown foods to families in need across all 88 counties. This funding goes beyond food—it supports 300 Ohio food supply chain jobs, 85,000 volunteers, and 140 million pounds of food valued at $220 million each year. Special thanks to Alex Buck and Peter Dorley, food program vendors who testified alongside us to highlight the impact of this investment on Ohio’s families, farmers, and economy. 📽️ Watch their full testimony here: https://lnkd.in/gYcCpYP8 🗞️ Learn more about our request here:

In this special episode, we’re bringing you live audio from Friends of the Foodbanks Lobby Day at the Ohio Statehouse, where our network and advocates met with Ohio’s 136th General Assembly to discuss state funding for the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program (ACP) and Ohio Food Program (OCP). Despite record levels of need, state funding for these programs was cut by $7.5 million per year in the governor’s budget. We’re calling on lawmakers to restore these cuts and ensure foodbanks can continue providing fresh, nutritious food to Ohio families. Listen in on powerful conversations about food access, agriculture, and community resilience, featuring: Pastor Susan Roark – Faith Fellowship Manoj Kumar – Sherwin-Williams Alex Buck – Fresh Forward Farms & Fruit Growers Marketing Association Pete Dorley – Keystone Meats Moderator: Joree Novotny, Ohio Association of Foodbanks 📢 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gcW64nzz Note: The audio isn’t perfect, but the message is too important not to share. Thanks for listening!

A deep and heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in today’s Friends of the Foodbanks Lobby Day. We spent the day in legislative meetings with Ohio’s representatives and senators, advocating for $50 million per year in state funding for the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program and Ohio Food Program—essential resources that help foodbanks provide fresh, nutritious food to communities across the state. One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to sit down for lunch and a meaningful conversation with our panelists: Pastor Susan Roark of Faith Fellowship, Manoj Kumar of Sherwin-Williams, Alex Buck of Fresh Forward Farms & Fruit Growers Marketing Association, and Pete Dorley of Keystone Meats. Their perspectives reinforced the critical connection between food access, agriculture, and community resilience. Despite record levels of need, funding for Ohio’s state-funded food programs was cut by $7.5 million per year in Governor DeWine’s executive budget, leaving just $24.55 million annually to serve millions of Ohioans. We are urging the General Assembly to restore this funding and increase support to account for inflation and growing demand. Without action, more families will face food insecurity, and foodbanks will continue to struggle to meet the rising need. Thank you to our network of 12 Feeding America foodbanks and 3,600 charitable relief organizations for showing up, engaging with lawmakers, and making our collective voice heard. Your commitment strengthens our advocacy and brings us one step closer to ensuring that every Ohioan has access to nutritious food. Together, we can and must end hunger in Ohio.

Hey OAF Network!! Don’t miss your chance to join us for the Friends of Foodbanks Lobby Day—registration closes on January 22nd! This is your opportunity to stand with us and advocate for impactful policies and funds that support foodbanks, fight hunger, and strengthen communities across Ohio. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gkF4UsY9 Questions? Please reach out to Sarah! #AdvocacyDay #FoodSecurity #FriendsOfFoodbank

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season from all of us at OAF!🎄✨ We had such a wonderful time wrapping up the year together at Topgolf, reflecting on our teamwork and dedication to serving Ohio’s network of foodbanks and our neighbors. This year brought its share of challenges and triumphs, but through it all, we remained united in our mission. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to make a difference together. Cheers to the holidays and all the meaningful work ahead in 2025! May your season be filled with love, joy, and safety. ❤️

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) newsletter recently highlighted Hope for her presentation during the November 13 meeting, showcasing our work at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. Her dedication and expertise continue to amplify the impact of our efforts to build a food-secure Ohio! Great Job, Hope Lane-Gavin! 👏

Applications are now open to host an AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2025! Looking to strengthen your nonprofit or community organization’s impact? Partner with us to host a full-time, year-long VISTA member and make a lasting difference for Ohioans. Application Deadline: Friday, January 10, 2025 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gUvqkVgd Need guidance? Join us for these helpful sessions: VISTA Basics: Tuesday, December 3, at 10:00 AM Join here: https://lnkd.in/gwFPknYy... Application Workshop: Monday, December 9, at 1:00 PM Join here: https://lnkd.in/g3EghguR... Don't miss this chance to expand your organization’s capacity! #AmeriCorpsVISTA

Earlier this week, we hosted a meeting to kick off our 2025-2026 state budget request as a united foodbank network! Joined by our foodbanks from across Ohio, we set our priorities to address food insecurity statewide. We explored the evolving landscape of food insecurity, reviewed updates to public benefits like SNAP, and assessed the specific needs of our network. We also analyzed recent election results to identify potential legislative champions and mapped out key advocacy relationships. We strategized on engaging partners and amplifying the voices of those we serve, and we developed targeted talking points that will resonate with elected officials. We are deeply grateful to all who joined us, shared insights, and committed to action. Together, we are Ohio’s foodbanks!