Food Distribution: What is Being Funded?

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in The New Political’s Winter Magazine: “Moving Forward.”

Athens has a very rich food culture. From classic restaurants on Court Street, to its homegrown options at the Farmers Market, to celebrating its homegrown food and hard work at the Pawpaw Festival, the population has a respect for what they consume. Yet, in this region, food insecurity remains a prevalent issue.

Athens County Food Pantry and the Saint Vincent De Paul Food Distribution Center are just a couple of the many resources working to combat food insecurity in the area. There is also the Salvation Army Food Pantry, Athens Catholic Community Food Pantry and other churches in the area that provide access to food.

The Athens County Food Pantry, founded in 1980 and run entirely by volunteers, is one of the most well-known resources for food in the county. Karin Bright, president of The Athens County Food Pantry, is part of an initiative put together by Athens Mayor Steve Patterson to address the issue of food insecurity.

“I have been part of a group that the mayor has put together, kind of a round table. It was a number of nonprofits coming together to try to hold things together,” Brights said. 

Ohio University also offers a number of food assistance services. There is SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which provides benefits for students on the poverty line. The other services are Cats’ Cupboard, a pantry in Baker University Center and the Meal Bank, a program that allows students to share their meal plans with another student in need.

However, there are limitations to these programs. SNAP requires its members to work at least 20 hours a week to qualify, and Meal Bank members have to be approved by the Dean of Students Office. These services are highly accessible, just not without conditions. 

While Ohio U and Athens County have set up locations for those who need them, politicians have taken other actions to help Athenians combat food insecurity.

According to Athens City Council President Chris Knisley, the city donates between $6,000 and $15,000 almost every year to Community Food Initiatives (CFI), an organization that distributes food to pantries in the region. CFI also brings awareness of food options to people in Southeastern Ohio. The organization focuses on locally grown options and is membership-based.

Data source: Athens City Council Clerk Debbie Walker

“The other support we have provided is to help with the ‘Bounty on the Bricks’ project, by closing the city streets for their annual fundraiser meal,” Knisley said.

The “Bounty on the Bricks” is a yearly feast on Court Street that raises money for the Southeast Ohio Food Bank. The event, which is run by the city of Athens, aims to raise awareness of food insecurity in the region. Like CFI, it shines a light on local options for Athens County residents.

Councilmember Ben Ziff also praised CFI as a resource for food access. Ziff said he was “planning on sitting down with members of CFI to see if there’s anything council can do to help them with their amazing program.”

Additionally, Councilmember Micah McCarey pointed out another organization that works to combat food insecurity in the area. 

“I’m enthusiastic about opportunities to support city collaborations with regional organizations like Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) that specifically focus on promoting accessibility of nutritious food options not only in Athens but throughout Southeast Ohio,” McCarey said. 

HAPCAP works with the Southeast Ohio Food Bank and offers food stamps to Athens locals. It also serves as a resource for information on local housing, transportation, of course food & nutrition, utilities, etc.

So there are programs that are available for the city, county and Ohio U, and it’s a question of if they will continue to be funded in the future. Councilmember Ben Ziff made note of that in his statement on the issue:

“I think one of the most important things I can do on council to combat this issue is to try and spread awareness of the programs and initiatives already in existence.”