Staff article by Kathy Wray Coleman, editor, associate publisher

CLEVELAND, Ohio- With support from  Cleveland City Council President Blaine Grriffin and Mayor Justin Bibb, Cleveland City Council, the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Council and a coalition of Cleveland's civic, corporate, and philanthropic leaders have come together to raise more than $600,000 in emergency funding to support local residents who will be affected by the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Foodstamps) benefits as of Nov. 1.

President Donald Trump has announced that the federal government will end SNAP, effective Nov 1., causing a national uproar and angering congressional Democrats, Civil Rights groups like the NAACP and a host of others.

While most SNAP recipients nationwide are White, Black recipients are disproportionately impacted.

Griffin said in a press release on Friday that this rapid response initiative aims to help bridge the immediate food security gap that the anticipated halt of SNAP support would create.

Key community partners with long commitments to the well-being of Clevelanders stepped up with significant contributions. These partners include:

• City of Cleveland
• Cuyahoga County
• The Cleveland Foundation
• The George Gund Foundation
• Cleveland Browns
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Cleveland Guardians
• The Word Church

These funds will be directed immediately to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to ensure people continue to have access to healthy food during the SNAP benefit shutdown. The funds will also support a range of food security initiatives, including expanded mobile pantry operations and increased capacity at neighborhood pantries. 

"No food bank can make up for a lack of SNAP benefits – for every meal distributed by a food bank, SNAP provides 9 – but we will do our very best to be a steady source of nutritious food for our community," said Kristin Warzocha, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. "These funds allow us to secure more food, so our community partners can be ready to meet the need. Knowing that our community leaders are standing beside us in this effort means the world to us—and to our struggling neighbours. Your help WILL make a difference." 

"The City of Cleveland will not stand by while our residents face hunger," Mayor Justin Bibb said. "Our contribution is a down payment on our commitment, but the real power is in this swift, unprecedented partnership. We are proud to stand with our professional sports teams, the Cleveland Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, and our partners in County government to help ensure every Clevelander has access to basic necessities during this federal uncertainty."  

"This is what effective governance looks like. We put our people first," Bibb added. 

City Council President Blaine A. Griffin agreed. "This is the time for us to come together and take care of our people," said Griffin. "The potential loss of SNAP benefits is a sudden and profound shock to our most vulnerable families. We are grateful to the partners who have stepped up now – and those who will step un in the near future. Now, we must institutionalize this response."  

The Cuyahoga Hunger Response Team includes city and county officials, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, healthcare providers, and social service agencies to ensure the streamlined delivery of resources, efficient outreach to affected residents, and the strategic use of the emergency funds raised. 

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne highlighted the regional nature of the effort. "We are committed to bringing our community together to ensure we have a strong safety net for all our residents. The collaboration between the County, the City, our professional sports teams, and our foundations is exactly the regional partnership we need right now," said Executive Ronayne. "Our contribution is part of a larger, coordinated effort to ensure that no resident of Cuyahoga County goes hungry because of a loss of federal benefits. We are committed to making this Hunger Response Team work effectively and immediately."   

Cuyahoga County Council President Dale Miller emphasized the local community's resilience. "This situation demonstrates the fragility of federal support and the immense resilience of our local community," said Miller. "The County Council is proud to stand alongside our partners in the City and the philanthropic community. We must do everything in our power to protect our neighbors, and this emergency fund is a critical first step toward mobilizing the resources required to address this crisis with the urgency it deserves." 

"Taking food away from people right before Thanksgiving is unnecessary, callous, and cruel," Griffin said. "We're going to do everything we can to keep Clevelanders from going hungry." 

Anyone in need of food assistance or other resources can visit the Greater Cleveland Food Bank or call 2-1-1.