ASHLAND — Ashland County charities and food pantries are rallying together ahead of looming disruptions to federal assistance programs.
The USDA previously stated if the federal government shutdown did not end by Monday, SNAP benefits would be halted on Nov. 1.
The USDA has confirmed SNAP recipients will still be able to access any carryover benefits beyond October 31, according to the Ohio DJFS; however, they may not receive their November benefits as normally scheduled if the federal government shutdown continues.
SNAP benefits help around 1.4 million Ohioans. In Ashland County, that number was 4,777 in September, and the benefit is administered through the county’s Department of Job and Family Services (JFS), which has said it will remain open during the shutdown. Updates about SNAP benefits will be posted to its website.
“We understand that this is a difficult time for many families in Ashland County and throughout the country,” said Peter Stefaniuk, director of Ashland County’s JFS. “We’re here to help.”
Stefaniuk said that, as of September, there are 2,326 households throughout Ashland County receiving SNAP benefits, totaling roughly $2.2 million each month in food costs.
“This is a 100% federal cost,” he said.
In fiscal year 2024, SNAP served an average of 41.7 million participants per month. Federal SNAP spending totaled $99.8 billion and benefits averaged $187.20 per participant per month, according to the USDA.
“While we are hopeful that the federal government will reach a resolution soon to end the shutdown, we know that Americans pull together in difficult times, and we’ll rise to the challenge here. Think about others in need and offer to help—you’ll never regret kindness,” Stefaniuk said.
‘It’s affecting everything’
Doug Pynchon, 66, stood in a line of around 20 people formed outside of Edamame Hibachi in Ashland awaiting a free lunch. The restaurant offered free lunches Tuesday afternoon to anyone who showed an EBT card or provided an ID that shows their over the age of 60.
Pynchon, an Ashland resident, said he’s been on SNAP since 2007, when he lost his job. He said the government shutdown won’t just affect his ability to keep receiving food benefits.
“It’s affecting everything,” he said, adding he’s recently pursued various government grants and subsidies for household projects, to no avail. His water lines froze last winter and need to be replaced. In the meantime, he said he’s been buying water jugs because he can’t afford the more costly, permanent fix.
Pynchon became visibly upset when speaking about the shutdown. Nevertheless, he was grateful for the one free meal.
“It’s great (Edamame) is doing this,” he said.
The shutdown began Oct. 1 when Congress failed to pass a bill funding government services. This funding lapse currently ranks as the second longest in U.S. history. It could become the longest shutdown ever should it reach Election Day on Nov. 4.
In the meantime, here’s where you can find free or reduced food prices in Ashland County.
Where to find free or reduced food amid the government shutdown
The following businesses and organizations provide free or reduced meals and food to families in need.
Ashland Source may continue to update this list, sourced from agency websites and social media, if more information becomes available. The food assistance resources listed below are broken down by location, but many of the services are still eligible for people living outside of the program’s location.
If you are someone, or know someone, who is providing food assistance to Ashland County residents, please email Ashland Source reporter Taylor Henninger at taylor@richlandsource.com to be included on this list.
Ashland
- Associated Charities: A food bank that requires people to fill out an application to receive food for up to 60 days at a time. To get the application started, call Associated Charities at 419-281-6061. Visit the website for more information. Applicants can pick up food at the main office at 240 Cleveland Ave., or one of the following satellite locations:
- Polk United Methodist Church: “The Polk Satellite is held the third Tuesday of every month at the Polk United Methodist Church, beginning at 5:45-6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, the church provides a free hot meal to anyone, receiving food or not, on the third Tuesday of each month,” according to Associated Charities’ website.
- Perrysville Fire Station: “The Perrysville Satellite, held the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Perrysville Fire Station, 181 East 3rd St, Perrysville, OH 44864, is open from 6-6:45 p.m., or until all food has been provided to visitors,” according to Associated Charities’ website.
- The Salvation Army Kroc Center food pantry: People in need of food assistance can place a food order once per month, which provides about three days’ worth of food based on the size of the family in need. The food pantry may make exceptions based on circumstances. Those interested should call 419-282-4223 ahead of time so they do not have to wait to pick up their order at the Kroc Center. The food pantry is located in the annex at Kroc Center, located at 527 East Liberty St., and is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
- The food pantry also has produce giveaways every Wednesday. The produce is put out front of the food pantry for people to take what they need on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Lighthouse Pentecostal Assembly: The church has a small food pantry, where those interested can register by appointment only. The program is open to Ashland County residents only. Residents can call 419-685-6044 to set up an appointment and from there, they will meet with Dale or Lou Shepard at the church, located at 323 Steele Ave, to fill out a contact information form and receive the food.
- If someone wishes to make a donation of food to the pantry, they can call the above number. The church also accepts monetary donations online for the food pantry; the donations must be labeled as food pantry funds.
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC): This program is for pregnant women, women who have a baby less than six months old, breastfeeding mothers and infants and children up to 5 years old. WIC provides nutrition counseling, nutritious foods and breastfeeding support for women and children in Richland and Ashland counties through Richland Public Health. Visit the website for more information about eligibility for the program, or call the Ashland WIC line at 419-289-3359.
- Catholic Charities Ashland County: A limited number of shelf-stable food items and hygiene items are available for individuals in need of assistance, according to its website. No appointment is necessary for someone to stop by Catholic Charities Ashland County, located at 34 West 2nd St. in Ashland, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 419-289-1903 for more information.
- Matthew 25 Outreach Center: There is typically one free produce distribution event in Ashland, Richland and Medina counties each month. The upcoming events are listed below:
- Richland County: East parking lot at Mansfield Senior High School,124 North Linden Road, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. Call 419-961-0110 for more information.
- Medina County: Cloverleaf Elementary School, located at 8337 Friendsville Road, on Nov. 8 and Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 330-636-6069 for more information.
- Ashland County: Parking lot at Luray Lanes, located at 647 East Main St. in Ashland, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 22 and Dec. 20. Call 419-961-0110 for more information.
- Ashland First United Methodist Church: The church hosts a free meal on the last Sunday of each month at 220 Sandusky St. at 5 p.m.
- St. Edwards Church: St. Edwards, located at 501 Cottage St., hosts a free meal on Wednesdays at 5:30pm in the Activity Center on the corner of Church Street and Pleasant Street. Meal Coordinator Judy Klobutcher said the hunger center does not have its own address, but it is across from the St. Edwards parking lot. Email Klobutcher for more information at jklobutcher@gmail.com.
- Auer Towing & Recovery: Auer will set up a food pantry in its Ashland office, located at 524 East 7th St., where people can stop by to pick up or donate food from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a no-questions-asked basis, according to a Facebook post. The post also noted the business will work to create an outdoor food pantry for people to come at different hours.
- Auer Towing & Recovery is also hosting a community meal on Nov. 1 at the office from 12-4 p.m. The hot meal is free for anyone who needs it.
- Ashland County Council on Aging: The Council on Aging offers congregate meals and home-delivered meals for Ashland County residents aged 60 and over who have been residents for a minimum of 90 days. The meals are served Monday through Friday at noon at 240 East Third Street in Ashland. The council asks for a $3 donation, but no one is refused a meal if they cannot pay the donation. Reservations for both nutritional programs should be made by calling 419-281-1477 or emailing nutritionashcocoa@zoominternet.net at least one day in advance before 10:00 a.m.
- Home-delivered meal services start between 10:30-11:45 a.m. and the council asks participants to be home from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- DM Roofing, Siding & Windows: This company will start handing out grocery bags containing a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, a pound of lunch meat and a pack of cheese, according to a Facebook post. The posts notes the bags will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of one bag per household, starting on Nov. 3. Those interested can pick up the bags at 1147 East Main St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Village of Savannah
- Living Waters Outreach Ministry: This ministry, located at 37 South Main Street, Savannah, has a small food pantry consisting of mostly canned foods and other non-perishable goods. Those in need can stop by the church on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 419-651-6622 for further information.
Village of Loudonville
- Loudonville Mobile Pantry at Loudonville High School: The mobile food pantry is sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which provides the produce, and New Hope Community Church and The First Church of the Brethren in Ashland help administer the food. The food pantry sets up on the first and third Friday of each month at the Loudonville High School football stadium at 10 a.m. For further information, call New Hope Community Church at 419-281-1477, or call The First Church of the Brethren at 330-636-1914.
- Helping Hands: A community charity service that provides a food pantry for residents in the Loudonville-Perrysville School District. People in need of food assistance can stop by the lower level of the Loudonville Youth Building, located at 200 North Union St., from 2-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. The New Hope Community Church recently finished its annual Thanksgiving food donation drive and donated the items to Helping Hands. For more information about the program, contact Gene Heller at 419-908-8980.
- The Shortstop convenience store: Shortstop announced on Facebook that the store would provide 50 meals on Mondays to families in need in November. The food will include lunch meat, cheese, bread, chips and potato salad each Monday of November, starting Nov. 3. As of the morning of Oct. 28, Shortstop announced that 50 people have signed up, but urged people to watch its Facebook page for any updates.
Village of Jeromesville
- Hillsdale Cares: A delivery-only food pantry put together by 12 churches working together to provide food for families in the Hillsdale School District on a weekly basis. The pantry provides families with meals from the food they have available; typically some form of pasta, vegetables, bread and some kind of meat. For those in the Hillsdale School District in need of meal assistance, contact 419-368-3833 to get put on the list for food delivery services. Families enrolled to receive food assistance will also be eligible for a complete, uncooked Thanksgiving meal, which includes a meat certificate for a nearby grocery store.
- Two of the churches involved also host free hot meal services once a month. Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 18 North St. in Jeromesville, hosts a dinner on the third Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church in Mifflin hosts a meal on the third Saturday of each month at 5 p.m. at 26 East Maine St. The dinner is in conjunction with a music praise and worship event and it is not hosted in December or June through August.
Other resources
The following groups, organizations and businesses can be a resource for those in need of food assistance.
- Seven Loaves Bread Company posted on its Facebook page encouraging people in need of food assistance to message for free bread.
- The Facebook Group “Paid in Full of Ashland Ohio” is a group where members can post items that they are looking to get rid of or items that they need. Per the rules of the group, all items must be free.
- Two people have posted on “The Ashland Chatter” Facebook post offering to donate fresh bread and baked goods to families in need. The following Facebook users made posts in the group:
- Bri Over said: “I can’t provide much, but I would like to offer fresh, homemade bread and bagels to anyone in need. I would also be very happy to share our dinners with anybody who may be in need of a plate. We will also be handing out snacks and shelf-stable foods/meal kits along with candy during trick-or-treat.” She encouraged people in need of food assistance to reach out to her.
- Ina’s Sauerdough Kitchen posted: “Due to the problem with the snap system, I would like to offer the leftover bread to our citizens here in Ashland or surrounding areas. So, if you are hungry, or in need of food, and can’t afford anything, there will be a loaf of bread at my house. Give me a call or text at 419-651-1220.
- Mercedes Pryor also posted in “The Ashland Chatter” informing families that will be out trick-or-treating in Ashland on Oct. 30 that she will be serving sloppy joes and apple cider until resources run out. Pryor lives at 240 East 9th St. and will start serving the sloppy joes at 5 p.m. She also has some cans of single-serve foods to give out to anyone in need.