If you’ve been up with the news, you are likely aware that some of the consequences of the extended federal government shutdown are beginning to show up in communities across the country, including here in Barberton.
Specifically, I am referring to some of our neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity, and their reliance on supplemental assistance in order to put food on the table for their families.
I recently learned Ohio has 1.45 million people who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits – that’s 1 in 9 people.
I also learned precisely how many folks in Barberton are receiving SNAP assistance. The answer (as given to me by a top official in Summit County) is 4,966. That means in Barberton, 1 in 5 people receive SNAP benefits… a rate much higher than the state of Ohio rate.
The average dollar amount loaded onto the SNAP card each month for food assistance is $194 per person.
This means that to meet just 1 month of demand in the SNAP program in Barberton requires $963,404 in funding.
This math reveals that even if the Foundation spends all of our grant dollars we have available for the entire year (2025) to help support this need, we would only be able to fund about 6 weeks of assistance.
The harsh and frustrating truth is that a philanthropic organization like the Foundation – a “funder” in nonprofit language – can do very little to offset the large government funding sources that have historically funded these programs.
But our mission asks us to do all we can for as many as we can. That’s part of our responsibility.
Our Board of Directors meets soon to review grants for additional funding to provide food from the primary source our Barberton-based food distribution sites rely on, the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank. This funding would be exclusive for Barberton residents and to be distributed at Barberton food distribution locations.
We are revieing additional support opportunities, as well.
We are undertaking all of this activity because the situation in our community is changing, and we want to help as much as we’re able.
For context, here is a story from last week – made anonymous so I can share it. This is from a leader at a food pantry in Barberton:
“This past Wednesday we did something a little different. We offered open pantry hours instead of just scheduled appointments. We had a one-hour slot scheduled. In that one hour we had 16 families visit. Emotions were high and I had two mention they had never had to come for help like this before. They were all so very thankful for the cart of groceries, provided from what we had ordered from the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank, and expressed such gratitude. It was an hour that will stay with me for a very long time. They were humbled in requesting help, and I was overcome in providing help.”
As you can see from the story, people who have never had a hard time putting food on the table are starting to struggle.
Our role as a funder is to identify where the need is, and – within our role – determine how best we can help within our constraints and while being good stewards of our resources.
The food bank has a role.
Food distribution sites, like the one in the story, have a role.
Your role is different.
You could donate funds to enhance our resources and the way we provide targeted funding support – please email or call me if you’re interested in doing that.
You could donate food items at churches, food distribution sites, or other capture points.
You could also donate your time as a volunteer.
The truth is that every distribution center needs volunteers to help them help others. Not just to hand out food, but to surround our community – our neighbors… your neighbors and my neighbors – with love and support, too.
If you can put food on your table, I am extending to you the same challenge that Ray Leach of Leach’s Mats & Sweets put to the ~330 folks gathered at last week’s Annual Dinner – find a way to volunteer and help others.
As Ray said, “It’s just what you do. Helping others is why we’re here.”
As the holidays approach us, I hope you are in a position to ask yourself – are you doing all you can to help others?
If you feel you can do more, please connect with Barberton Area Community Ministries, Barberton Salvation Army, Common Threads, the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank, or other food distribution locations in Barberton.
We all know we’re a special community. These situations are nothing any of us hope for… but it’s also our opportunity to prove the magic in the Magic City by showing up for each other when it matters most.
In Community,
Josh Gordon
