More than half of households visiting food banks across Ohio, specifically 57%, were forced to choose between paying for utilities or paying for food, according to a recent annual report from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. This challenging decision was even more prevalent for households with children, with 65% reporting the same trade-off.
The report, which surveyed 2,644 food pantry visitors between April 18 and May 22 of this year, highlighted the widespread tough choices Ohioans are making daily. Ohio Association of Foodbanks Executive Director Joree Novotny stated that "Ohioans are facing real, real challenges and difficult choices every day, and that those choices are putting them in situations that we know are untenable."
Utilities were not the only necessity families sacrificed to afford food. The report found that 63% of surveyed households reported choosing between paying for transportation or food, while 59% were forced to decide between buying clothes and personal hygiene products or food. Nearly half, 48%, had to choose between affording medicine or food, and 45% faced the critical decision of paying their rent or mortgage versus paying for food.
Households with children faced additional financial pressures. Among these families, 30% reported choosing between paying for education or food, and 23% decided between affording childcare or food. Novotny emphasized that "There’s a lot of trade-offs that are being considered and often being made."
The consequences of these decisions are evident in meal patterns. Slightly more than half of those surveyed, 52%, said at least one person in their household skipped a meal during the past year. Even more concerning, 59% reported having to skip a meal every month.
Novotny explained that food is frequently the first expense people cut back on, citing other non-negotiable costs. "You still have to put gas in the car to get to work to keep your job," she said. "You still have to pay the rent, keep utilities running, but food is a thing you can sacrifice." She added that sacrificing medicine for food, or struggling to afford gas to get to work or food for children, and regularly skipping meals, raises concerns about the long-term health and well-being of families and communities.
The survey provided insights into the demographics of food pantry users. Almost an equal proportion of surveyed households, 46%, included at least one senior over the age of 60, and 46% included at least one child under the age of 18. Among households with seniors, 53% reported visiting food pantries more than 12 times per year.
Financially, more than half of those surveyed, 52%, had annual household incomes below $20,000, and a significant 69% reported having an income below $30,000. To cope with these financial strains, nearly a third of surveyed individuals sought extra jobs to make ends meet.
Regarding health and benefits, about half, 49%, had Medicaid coverage. A large majority, 76%, had someone in their household living with a health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Additionally, 45% of surveyed households received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Of those receiving SNAP, nearly a quarter, 24%, reported that their benefits lasted one week or less. The report also noted that more than 100,000 Ohioans, including over 50,000 children, have lost their SNAP benefits since the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" made significant cuts to the program.