(Photo by Amber Phipps) Memorial Health Systems Chief Nurse and Hunger Solutions Board Member Paige Smith, left, speaks to Washington County Department of Jobs and Family Services Director Flite Freimann, right, about the donation made to support the Southeast Ohio Food Bank on Thursday.

Hunger Solutions Mid-Ohio Valley is providing up to $100,000 to support the Southeast Ohio Food Bank after Food and Nutrition Services announced on Wednesday it had run out of funds.

Food and Nutrition Services is a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and offers services like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) which provides food benefits to low-income families.

As a result of the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, there will be no SNAP benefits for the month of November if the shutdown doesn’t end before Oct. 29.

Washington County Department of Jobs and Family Services Director Flite Freimann said he was notified of this news late Wednesday night. He said once the news came out, there was an immediate desire to help county residents.

“There are currently 7,661 residents of Washington County who are food stamp recipients,” said Freimann. “Most of those are children or elderly individuals, the people least likely to be able to subsist without necessary food.”

He said the total value of food stamps in the county is in excess of $1.3 million with an average food stamp value at $178 per person. A family of three would have almost $500 worth of food assistance.

Freimann contacted Memorial Health Systems CEO Scott Cantley who suggested reaching out to Hunger Solutions.

“A collaborative effort between Marietta College, Peoples Bank and Memorial Health Systems generously agreed to help the residents of our community,” said Freimann.

The Hunger Solutions Board of Directors consists of members from Memorial Health Systems, Peoples Bank, Bricker Graydon and Marietta College. Memorial Health Systems Chief Nurse and Hunger Solutions Board Member Paige Smith said this is what Hunger Solutions is for.

“It’s with great honor and we thank Flite for calling us and letting us help because this is really what we’re here to do, to help the residents of Washington County,” said Smith.

The money will be used to financially support the SE Ohio Food Bank to continue food services for those in need.

Freimann said this isn’t a long-term solution because they don’t have $1.3 million from the county budget. He said the donation will help for the first month and there will also be financial assistance from the Washington County Behavioral Health Board and the Washington County Commissioners in the coming weeks.

“It’s important to know that as soon as the government shutdown ends, our hope would be that these folks’ benefits immediately come back,” he said.

Freimann urged the government to start funding again because there are individuals in dire need of assistance. He said if they can’t come to an agreement they should at least try to continue funding these programs.

There are 14 local food pantries in the county where residents can look to for food or clothing services. The local food pantries are funded by public donations so the public is encouraged to continue donating to these nonprofits.

Gospel Mission Food Pantry, Washington County Harvest of Hope and the Marietta Church of God Food Bank are located in the city of Marietta.

Freimann said the best way to access assistance is by contacting Washington County Department of Jobs and Family Services at 1115 Gilman Ave. or call 740-373-5513 to be directed to services. Freimann said Medicaid and Medicare benefits will continue uninterrupted.