Cincinnati sees jump in food pantry, soup kitchen and food stamp usage
Word on the street is food pantries and soup kitchens in Cincinnati are seeing an increase in clients seeking their services. Seems this is mostly people with jobs. One would speculate the increase is triggered by the economic downslide and by higher prices for gas and food.
Ohioans generally have jobs, but aren't able to make ends meet because of the rising cost of gas, food, low wages, unemployment or because of have high medical expenses
Nearly one in 10 Ohioans receives food stamps. Caseloads have reported doubled since 2001, with 1.1 million residents now collecting benefits, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
On average, food stamps are now providing less than two weeks of groceries. This contributes to the increase in food pantry and soup kitchen usage.
Growing Grocery Gap in Cincinnati: Groceries leaving low-income neighborhoods
The University of California Davis has studied the grocery gap and cited data showing suburbs have up to three times as many supermarkets as low-income neighborhoods. This leaves a shortage in the low-income neighborhoods for fresh food. The local corner deli becomes a grocery store with less options for neighbors to purchase.