Stay Up to Date with New SNAP Rules

  • Recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and work requirements may impact food benefits for some neighbors. Some individuals may no longer qualify for SNAP, including refugees and asylees. Others may still qualify but are now subject to new work requirements unless they qualify for a separate exemption, such as a medical condition.
  • Who May Be Affected 
    While most refugees and asylees have lost SNAP eligibility, lawful permanent residents remain eligible after a five-year waiting period. Cuban and Haitian Entrants, Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens, and non-citizen U.S. nationals remain eligible with no waiting period. Refugees and asylees who are not in these categories will receive SNAP benefits for the final time in February. 
  • Groups Newly Subject to Work-Requirements: 
        •    Veterans 
        •    People experiencing homelessness 
        •    Former foster youth 
        •    Adults ages 55–64 
        •    Parents with children over age 14 
  • New Requirements 
    Starting March 1, impacted individuals must report 80 hours per month of qualified work, job training or volunteer service to maintain SNAP benefits. Those who do not meet an exemption and fail to report qualifying activities, may be limited to three months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month period, with benefits potentially ending as early as May 1.
  • Questions? 
    Neighbors impacted by these changes should receive notice from their local Job and Family Services (JFS) office but are encouraged to contact their county JFS office or caseworker with questions. 
     

 

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Policy Changes Impacting Hunger Relief

July 2025

Due to state and federal program cuts, the Foodbank is receiving 5-6 million fewer pounds of food from government sources (approximately 15% of total distribution) in 2025.

Federal Cuts
  • Four federal programs provided 24% of the Foodbank’s total distribution in 2024. Reduction in USDA support has had an immediate impact on the Foodbank's availability of food.
  • The Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) ended on June 30, 2025, reducing fresh food by 450,000 pounds. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) program has been canceled, eliminating 2.5 million pounds of food.
  • Total federal reductions will resulted in nearly 3 million pounds less food in 2025, much of it highly nutritious.
State Cuts
  • The Ohio Food Program (OFP) and Ohio Agriculture Clearance Program (OACP) provided 23% of the Foodbank’s total distribution in 2024.
  • On July 1, Governor DeWine signed into law Ohio's 2026-2027 budget, reducing funding to Ohio’s 12 food banks by $7.5 million, a nearly 20% loss compared to the previous budget.
  • This significant reduction means the loss of approximately 2.5 million pounds of our most nutritious food in 2025 and beyond, presenting a real challenge for our food bank as we work to serve our community. 

These shifts came at a time when the need for food assistance is higher than during the pandemic, and last year was our largest year of food distribution to date. We need your voice and support now more than ever. Please stay engaged and continue to advocate for neighbors facing hunger in our community. 

Additional Ways You Can Help

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A Social Media Ambassador is an individual dedicated to the Foodbank’s mission to feed people and fight hunger by creating awareness about local hunger relief via their personal social media accounts.

After signing up, Social Media Ambassadors will be emailed a custom toolkit with premade social media captions, graphics and profile photo frames. Each month, the most engaged ambassadors will be recognized on the Foodbank’s social media. Thank you for supporting local hunger relief!  

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Create awareness about hunger in our region

Social Media Ambassador Responsibilities

1.) Follow the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.  

  • Facebook: @akroncantonfoodbank  
  • Instagram/Twitter: @acrfoodbank  
  • LinkedIn: @Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank  

2.) Share one or more Foodbank posts on your social media pages/stories per month or use the Foodbank’s premade social graphics and suggested captions in your toolkit. Remember to tag #ACRFBambassador!  

3.) Encourage your friends and family to follow the Foodbank on social media.  

4.) Comment on the Foodbank’s posts to show your support.