SNAP benefits pause leaves central Ohioans in need of food assistance

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- SNAP benefits have been on pause for nearly a week, and it’s still unclear when payments may begin again in the midst of the government shutdown.

Many people in central Ohio rely on SNAP benefits to provide food for their families, and some are now looking to local nonprofits to help.

Stowe Mission on the South Side of Columbus serves a hot meal each weekday. Director of Programs Natalie McCloud said they typically feed between 250 and 300 people a day, but the need is growing.

“Even yesterday we saw a major uptick in the people needing lunch,” said McCloud, “Serving over 420 meals on a lunch that is well above what we've done historically on any given day.”

It’s a service that many neighbors in South Columbus rely on, and more people are coming with SNAP paused.

“I come here because it's somewhere I can get a meal,” said Geralyn Stancin, who eats lunch at Stowe Mission.

She said that without her SNAP benefits, she is feeling the strain.

“Yeah, it’s hard when they don’t hit,” said Stancin. “I don't even know if they're going to come back. I'm hoping they come back.”

McCloud said Stowe Mission does not want to turn anyone away. The community trusts them.

“We are seeing an increase of people that are requesting services, especially with the panic happening of not knowing when they're going to have, you know, a meal for the coming weeks,” said McCloud.

Volunteers help ease the burden. A local church group helped out on Friday morning, and they made a run to a local store before their volunteer shift when they heard over 400 meals were served on Thursday.

“We don’t want to turn anybody away. Yeah, we would rather have extra and give people seconds, but we don’t want to turn somebody away that’s hungry,” said volunteer Roger Neer.

McCloud said Stowe Mission is relying on other local organizations to keep everyone fed.

“Every day, people being able to add to what we already have will make a difference. And it will help in these times when everyone else is pulling on other major resources,” said McCloud.

Stowe Mission is asking for volunteers, non-perishable food items, and monetary donations during this time.

To learn more or donate, visit Stowe Mission's website here.