Ohio, Kentucky food pantries prepare for halt in SNAP benefits

ASHLAND, Ky. (WOWK) — In the Bluegrass and Buckeye states, help is available on the grassroots level for those who will be affected by the halt in SNAP benefits expected later this week.

Non-profit organizations on both sides of the Ohio River are collaborating to fill the food insecurity need caused by the ongoing government shutdown.

In Lawrence County, Ohio, City Mission Church in Ironton says they’re seeing an increase in people preparing for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to end on Nov. 1.

Pastor and Food Pantry Director Jeff Cremeans says they are buying plenty of food to fill their food pantry, and if supplies run out, they say they’re prepared to buy more.

“We’ve been preparing and buying extra food up to help those that we can. As long as we got the funds to buy it, we’ll go get some more,” Cremeans says.

In Ashland, Kentucky, Rivers Cities Harvest is working in collaboration with Boyd County CAReS to also help families get their basic necessities.

They’re doing this by matching families with local and available resources like food pantries that can fill their food insecurity needs.

“We have 31 pantries in the area. Currently, we serve only 21, but I have a list of all the pantries in the area,” River Cities Harvest Executive Director Andrea Allen says.

“If they don’t need what we have or, you know, they’ve already been there for November. It’s okay. Here’s the food pantry that services your area. Try this,” CAReS Executive Director Lynn Childers says.

Food pantries in both states are also accepting donations to help keep their shelves full for any families who might need assistance.

Below is a list of where you can find food in Ohio and Kentucky.

Northeast Kentucky Food Pantries:

• River Cities Harvest: 2516 Carter Ave #7830, Ashland, KY 41101
• Ashland Community Kitchen: 2516 Carter Ave, Ashland, KY 41101
• Catlettsburg Church of God Seed Harvest – Food Distribution Center: 105 36th St, Catlettsburg, KY 41129
• First United Methodist Church Food Pantry – Food Distribution Center: 1845 Carter Ave, Ashland, KY 41101
• H.O.P.E. Food Pantry: 438 Boyd St, Russell, KY 41169
• Helping Hands of Greenup County: 412 Main St, Greenup, KY 41144

Southern Ohio Food Pantries:

• Ironton City Mission: 710 N 5th Street, Ironton, Ohio
• Harvest for the Hungry: 120 N 5th Street, Ironton, Ohio
• Central Christian Church (Offsite): 1541 S 7th Street, Ironton, Ohio
• Ironton Church of Christ: 2503 S 10th Street, Ironton, Ohio
• St. Paul Lutheran Church: 612 Center Street, Ironton, OH
• South Point United Methodist Church: 202 3rd Street East, South Point, Ohio
• South Point Church of Christ: 402 3rd Street, South Point, Ohio
• Michael’s Grace Place: 801 Hooper Drive, South Point, Ohio
• Chesapeake Community Center – Community Mission Outreach: 3748 State Route 7, Chesapeake, Ohio
• Rome Church of Christ: 86 Twp Rd 1056, Proctorville, Ohio
• New Hope United Methodist Church: 111 Township Road 1130, Proctorville, Ohio