(File Photo) A volunteer stacks boxes at the Tri-County Food Pantry in Lower Salem in 2021.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine introduced Ohio’s 2026-2027 statewide budget on Feb. 3 and upon closer evaluation, the outline reveals roughly a 23% budget cut from food bank and pantry funding.

In the proposed budget, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, is to receive about $7.5 million less than the previous state budget. This would cut SNAP’s funding from $32 million to about $24.5 million, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

According to the Pew Research Center, the food stamp program is one of the larger federal social welfare initiatives. Households that qualify are below 130% of the federal poverty level.

Millions of people under the poverty line who receive assistance from government funded local food banks could be affected if the proposal is approved for the upcoming year.

On Feb. 10, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks released a statement to the public calling for action to “secure funding in the 2026-2027 budget.”

In the release, Executive Director Joree Novotny expressed the urgency for continued funding and support from the state and company partnerships.

The Ohio Food Program and the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program have provided support to local farmers, producers and families. The industry has distributed food as well as created jobs in agriculture and food supply.

Novotny states that funding for these programs assists farmers, employees and families in Ohio and removing funds could affect this system over time.

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks reported, “a 58% increase in children and a 90% increase in adults seeking assistance in 2024 compared to 2017.”

House Finance Chairman and State Representative Brian Stewart stated that unemployment is low and there are plenty of jobs available.

“Working families who are doing everything right still struggle to keep up with the historically higher inflation,” Novotny said. “And older adults living off of retirement income are finding that their income isn’t stretching far enough.”

Since the budget was proposed earlier in the month, there have been no initiations yet and some food pantries wouldn’t be affected.

If this proposal takes effect, Novotny said they will continue to do what they can with the partnerships and resources they have.

“We would never turn anyone away,” Novotny said. “There are still several months before any actions are taken, so in the meantime we keep up with the partnerships we’ve established.”

Some local food banks may avoid any changes if the proposal is initiated due to the fact that they don’t receive any government funding.

Located on 309 Lancaster St. in Marietta, the Gospel Mission Food Pantry operates entirely from unpaid volunteers. Executive Director Candy Waite was concerned about this budget cut upon her discovery of its proposal by the state.

“The Gospel Mission wouldn’t be affected by this change because we’re run entirely by volunteers,” Waite said.

Some other local food banks are also volunteer-operated without governmental support. The Tri-County Food Pantry in Lower Salem also provides volunteer-based support to the community of Marietta.

While the proposal hasn’t taken effect, food banks will continue to provide food and donations to families in need.

“We want to allow people the opportunity to not have to make a choice between paying bills or eating,” Novotny said.