COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In the midst of the troubled economy, many people are turning to programs that will help feed their families -- and those programs are now centered in controversy.
At a time where food pantries have seen an increase of 25 percent in demand, the state budget proposal isn't giving them more money. Their funding will remain level at $8.5 million each year.
"Unfortunately, that is woefully inadequate to meet the growing demand for food for more and more Ohioans," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks. "This request is both modest and humble, representing just $1 dollar, per person, per month served by foodbanks across the state of Ohio.”
The struggle to supply Ohio food pantries with basic essentials doesn't stop just with the state budget. There's also controversy for families in hunger and their use of food stamps.
"I was surprised, you could say shocked. Most of my constituents have never had $81,000 in savings," said Sen. Bob Shuler, of Sycamore Township.
Shuler from Warren County said a woman who had that much money in the bank, a nearly $300,000 home and drives a Mercedes, received food stamps.
He is now drafting a bill that would not allow a person with more than $2,000 in the bank to get the assistance.
The idea outrages hunger advocates. In the midst of an already bad economy, they said individual cases need more investigation.
Final language on the bill would be complete next week and then Shuler said he plans to introduce it to legislators.
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