When there is a need to step up and help one another, Mid-Ohio Valley communities rarely disappoint. Among the reasons for that is our incredible nonprofits, which are asked to shine far too often; but they do, anyway.

Hunger Solutions Mid-Ohio Valley came through in a big way last week when it provided up to $100,000 in support to the Southeast Ohio Food Bank, after Food and Nutrition Services — the division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that offers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — announced it had run out of funds.

Because of the federal government shutdown, there will be no SNAP benefits for November, if the shutdown doesn’t end before Wednesday.

According to Washington County Department of Jobs and Family Services Director Flite Freimann, there are 7,661 residents of Washington County receiving food stamps.

“Most of those are children or elderly individuals, the people least likely to be able to subsist without necessary food,” he said.

So Hunger Solutions Mid-Ohio Valley — a partnership among Marietta College, Peoples Bank and Memorial Health System — swung into action.

“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 Memorial Health Systems Chief Nurse and Hunger Solutions Board Member Paige Smith.

Those who do need help should contact Washington County Department of Jobs and Family Services at 1115 Gilman Ave., or call 740-373-5513.

And while it is a shame lawmakers have so far appeared unwilling to do their jobs for us, it is encouraging to remember there are so many who ARE willing to step up. Thank you to Freimann and those at Hunger Solutions for doing so, now.