The Truth Staff
Last week, as the November 1 deadline to end SNAP benefits approached, Toledo City Council passed an ordinance to donate $50,000 to feed community residents in need. That legislation was matched by Mercy Hospital shortly thereafter. Both groups held a press conference on Thursday morning, along with Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, to discuss the donations and to urge others in the community to step up with similar donations.
“We don’t want to see people struggle,” said Councilman Nick Komives, who authored the legislation and received the unanimous support of his fellow council members.
“This is an economic crisis in our community and a food crisis in our community,” said Komives as he explained the purpose of the money and how it will reach those in need. City Council has directed that its funds will go to SeaGate Food Bank.
“I can’t think of a community that is more caring,” said Mindy Rapp, executive director of the SeaGate Food Bank. “We can do this, we can take care of our own. Hunger should not be political but in this day and age it really is.
When the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were scheduled to end this past Saturday, 71,000 people in Lucas County were due to lose access to food, 37,000 children among them. Those figures are part of the 42 million nationwide whose benefits were due to end.
After City Council acted, Mercy Hospital responded in kind by donating an equal amount of $50,000 to Connecting Kids to Meals. Both community groups work cooperatively to fulfill their missions of getting food to those in need, stressed Rapp.
“We’re trying to get others in the community [to help],” said Kapszukiewicz of the ongoing need to fill the gap caused by the political discord in Washington, DC. There is a “[real disconnect]” he observed, between those in need and those would build $300 million ballroom for the White House.