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County executive warns federal shutdown could imperil SNAP recipients; outlines local hunger response
Summary
Cuyahoga County's executive used the Oct. 28 meeting to warn that the federal government shutdown may interrupt SNAP benefits for county residents, urged state and federal action, cited Ohio Revised Code Section 127.19, and described a local hunger response team that will coordinate community resources and public information.
During the Oct. 28 meeting, the County Executive highlighted the potential local impact of the federal government shutdown on nutrition assistance and outlined steps the county is taking to respond.
"Those who receive supplemental nutrition assistance program dollars... are now, in danger of their food pantry, their food shelves, their refrigerators, being empty," the executive said, and urged the president and the governor to release contingency funds. The executive referenced Ohio Revised Code Section 127.19 as an emergency contingency fund statute and said the state Office of Budget and Management recently reported a rainy‑day surplus the executive described as approximately $291,000,000.
The executive said the county has formed a "hunger response team," urged residents to call 211 for referrals to food banks and pantries, and said county staff will develop community communications and committees to coordinate resources and referrals. He noted the county is preparing "work activation and opportunities" committees in response to federal SNAP and Medicaid rule changes and encouraged nonprofits and businesses to volunteer in community efforts.
Public commenters also addressed related funding and service concerns. Josiah Quarles praised reissued RFPs and shelter awards but criticized broader federal and county spending priorities in remarks that linked county funding choices to housing and homelessness responses. Other public commenters offered volunteer support for local hunger relief.
Council did not take a formal vote on hunger‑response funding during the meeting; the executive urged continued advocacy to state and federal officials and promoted local food‑bank resources.
