U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on Wednesday were joined by Ohio House members in a letter urging swift approval of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services request to operate the Disaster Household Distribution Program.
The letter was to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
USDA’s Disaster Household Distribution Program is run through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and works to feed hungry families in times of crisis like the COVID-19 outbreak more efficiently and safely.
Swiftly approving ODJFS’s request will allow foodbanks throughout Ohio to distribute more food across the state and reduce verification requirements, which will in turn make it easier for staff and volunteers at foodbanks to maintain social distancing protocols, keeping themselves and their clients safe.
In addition to Brown and Portman, the letter was also signed by U.S. House Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), David Joyce (R-OH), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Troy Balderson (R-OH), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH).
According to ODJFS, as of March 26, the state had received more than 187,800 new claims in unemployment in a single week.
During this time, many food banks reported a significant – greater than 50 percent – increase in clients, with roughly two-thirds of the total utilizing emergency food services for the first time.
ODJFS’ application estimates that 1.25 million Ohioans – 10.7 percent of Ohio’s population – will be served at food banks by April 30.
“While we appreciate USDA’s proactive issuance of waivers for some nutrition assistance programs and swift adoption of new authority for others, ODJFS requires more tools and additional flexibilities to meet increasing demand while keeping staff, volunteers, and clients safe,” the members wrote.
“Ohioans are facing significant economic challenges as the country takes action to halt the spread of COVID-19. As more Ohioans lose work, emergency food providers in every part of the state are seeing a massive increase in demand for food assistance.”
