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Columbus council approves $695,000 emergency package to shore up local food providers amid SNAP disruption
Summary
City council adopted emergency ordinance 30-13 to transfer $695,000 to local food distributors and school nutrition programs after disruption to SNAP benefits; Mid-Ohio Food Collective and other providers said demand has surged and local partners will use funds for immediate distributions and operations.
Columbus City Council on Thursday approved an emergency ordinance to move $695,000 to several local food-distribution partners after a federal disruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits increased demand across the region.
The ordinance (30-13-2025) directs $500,000 to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, $125,000 to Columbus City Schools, $40,000 to the Children’s Hunger Alliance and $30,000 to LifeCare Alliance, and authorizes necessary transfers and appropriations from the health special revenue fund. Council President Harden introduced the measure as an urgent response while federal funding remains uncertain.
Michael Cochran of Mid-Ohio Food Collective told council the local impact is large: “A 173,000 of our neighbors in Columbus and Franklin County rely upon SNAP each month,” and local retailers see about $31,000,000 in SNAP dollars flow each month. Cochran said partners served more families in 2024 than in any prior year and that the sector is mobilizing to fill gaps while urging federal action.
A resident, Nathaniel Wilkins, urged the council to consider a larger allocation given the scale of need and suggested $875,000 would be more appropriate. Council members acknowledged that charitable support cannot replace a federal program but said the city must act now to prevent immediate hardship.
The ordinance passed following a roll call; the record shows the clerk recorded members present and the president announced the ordinance adopted. Council asked staff and partner agencies to post distribution details and eligibility information publicly. The administration also said city-led distribution events will be held at Glenwood and Scioto Southland recreation centers in the coming days in partnership with Mid-Ohio and LifeCare Alliance.
Next steps: the council’s action is an emergency transfer of existing city funds to support providers; no additional ordinance was announced. Council members said they will continue monitoring need and coordinating with county and community partners while awaiting federal clarity.
