Food insecurity is rising again in Ohio
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The Columbus Blessing Boxes Project began in 2018 with just three locations stocked with free food for those in need.
- Now, the nonprofit has 100 boxes, which are like little free libraries for food, scattered throughout Central Ohio.
Why it matters: An increasing number of Ohioans are struggling to pay for food amid inflation and the end of some pandemic-era benefits.
By the numbers: 11.5% of Ohio households were food insecure on average between 2020-2022, per new USDA data.
- That means at some point they couldn't provide, or worried about providing, enough food for a household member because of a lack of money or resources.
- Of those households, nearly 5% had "very low food security," which denotes skipping or reducing meals more often.
The big picture: Nationwide food insecurity spiked to 12.8% last year, a level not seen since the U.S. economy was recovering from the Great Recession, Axios' Emily Peck reports.
Zoom in: Gretchen Davis founded the Columbus Blessing Boxes Project as an accessible way for her young children to give back to the community.
- Boxes are commonly located outside homes, churches and other public places. They are available 24/7 for residents to take or leave food.
- Volunteer "hosts" range from aspiring Eagle Scouts to handy retirees who take joy in building and repairing the boxes, Davis tells Axios.
Meanwhile, food banks are trying to meet the increased demand with fewer resources, as high grocery prices have made consumers less likely to donate items, writes Axios' April Rubin.
Threat level: Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, tells Axios the local situation is growing worse.
- From April-September, Ohio food pantries served about 1.3 million visitors each month, which is up 60% from pre-pandemic times.
- "We have been feeling the pressure," she says, and donations of any kind help, including volunteering time.
How to help: Find a Blessing Box near you and help stock it with these suggested nonperishable items.
- The nonprofit welcomes new volunteers to build and host new boxes.
Pro tip: Giving cash to food banks ensures the most bang for your buck, as they can buy items in bulk to supply pantries. Central Ohio's regional bank is Mid-Ohio Food Collective.