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Most Ohio households are feeling the continuing and increasing squeeze of higher prices. Far too many are feeling that squeeze to a degree that is forcing them to make unsustainable decisions. According to a survey included in the Ohio Association of Foodbanks annual report, of the 2,644 food pantry visitors surveyed between April 18 and May 22, 57% of households were forced to choose between paying for utilities or paying for food. In households with children, that percentage increased to 65%.
In addition, 63% said they had to choose between transportation or food and 59% said they had to choose between clothes or food, or personal hygiene products or food, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. And, 48% said they had to choose between medicine and food, while 45% said they decided between paying their mortgage or rent and food.
Households with children face additional challenges as the survey showed 30% chose between paying for education and food and 23% chose between childcare and food.
"There's a lot of trade-offs that are being considered and often being made," said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks."We have to remember that someone making a choice sacrificing medicine to afford food, or wrestling with being able to put gas in the car to get to work, or put food on a table for their kids, or, even many making choices to regularly skip meals to stretch the resources that they do have, that reinforces concerns about what that means for the health and well-being of individual families and collective communities longer term."
While politicians and economic development agencies wrestle with their own priorities, and decide whether they are going to focus on what REALLY matters to Ohio families, local residents have a couple of upcoming opportunities to help.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26, The Marietta Times and the Marine Corps Veterans Association, in partnership with Walmart, will host the Roy Trembly Annual Fall Food Drive, in front of Walmart in Marietta. Donations of food, necessities and money will benefit the Gospel Mission Food Pantry. While they're at it, the veterans organizations will also be providing VetCenter mental health services, VA healthcare enrollment help, and free VA flu shots for all veterans (have your DD214 ready).
Next month, we'll do the same in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel parking lot, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with donations going to Old Man Rivers and the DAV food pantries.
If you are fortunate to be among those who have NOT had to make difficult choices like so many in Ohio, please remember: If the folks in Columbus, Charleston or Washington, D.C., aren't going to help, it's up to us.