Dominique Lewis hurried past cars waiting in line at the Lincoln Heights Outreach food pantry on Wayne Avenue. She held an umbrella in one hand to shield herself from the snow and a gallon of milk and a large bag of food in the other. She was short on time, rushing to work but needed to stop at the pantry. The recent government shutdown had made it tough for her to afford groceries.
“With the SNAP issues, I didn’t know if I would be able to get enough food for Thanksgiving, so I decided to come here,” she shared.
Lincoln Heights Outreach had a special Monday distribution linked with the Hamilton County 513 Relief Bus due to the halted SNAP benefits. Tess Balsley, the Outreach Program Manager, reported a significant rise in demand. “We’ve seen a jump from serving 110 families on average to 140 immediately after the benefits were cut,” she said, noting it keeps growing.
Charmaine Jackson, a hairdresser recovering from back surgery, was also waiting in line. She relied on SNAP until her benefits stopped. “That’s why I’m here,” she said, emphasizing the need for food and support from pantries.
Balsley remarked on the generosity of local donors and a 50% discount on food from the Freestore Foodbank, but she also expressed concern. “We might run out and have to turn people away, which is becoming a routine problem everywhere,” she explained.
In response to this rising need, local organizations and residents are stepping up. The Freestore Foodbank got a boost from the state of Ohio to provide emergency relief. Additionally, the Cincinnati Hamilton County Public Library is promoting its after-school meal program, serving prepackaged meals to children from 18 locations. Joe Armstrong from the library noted an increase in participation, saying, “Kids are really enjoying the meals, making it a lively place.”
In Anderson Township, a mother named Liz Fitzgerald took action by joining a grocery buddy program. This initiative, started by a local Facebook group, connects volunteers with people on SNAP, allowing them to help directly. “Volunteers can shop with them or order groceries online,” Fitzgerald said. She spends around $250 to $300 a week on the program, believing it’s worth the cost for immediate relief to her neighbors.
Even after the SNAP benefits are restored, she plans to continue her support. “Sometimes the funds aren’t enough, especially during emergencies or the holidays,” Fitzgerald added.
The grocery buddies website reports that they assisted 36 people with food on their first day alone.
As Dominique Lewis made her way to work, she expressed hope for a resolution in Congress. “I just have to make it work until they find a solution,” she said. Recent developments show some Senate Democrats are willing to collaborate with Republicans on a budget deal, but the complexities of getting it approved linger.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration faces legal battles over SNAP funding as the shutdown continues. It’s clear that for many, making ends meet is an ongoing struggle. But with community support and resilience, people like Dominique, Charmaine, and countless others are navigating these challenging times together.
