Ohio's Largest Charitable Response to Hunger
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Ohio Foodbanks began in 1985 to develop the federally funded Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) within the state of Ohio. Working in conjunction with the Department of Education and then the Ohio Department of Agriculture and finally with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services the Ohio Foodbanks struggled through many years of programmatic development, burdensome federal bureaucratic processes, repeated threats of cuts to the TEFAP food sources, and the constant recognition that even in the best of times, the food was generally in insufficient amounts to meet the growing needs of the hungry Ohioans. OASHF recognizes that many people served by our network are struggling with high prescription drug costs. Last year, OASHF’s annual “No Names, Please” survey, a snapshot of the needs of people standing in the food lines, found that 14% of those surveyed reported high prescription costs were the reason they had to rely on a food pantry. These respondents reported spending an average of $170 every month on prescriptions. As food and fuel costs rise, factories close and job growth stalls the demand on the emergency food assistance network grows. By promoting the use of generic medications OASHF hopes that our clients will not be forced to choose between food and medicine.
As a compliment to its efforts to increase enrollment in Medicare Part D’s Extra Help (also known as the Low-Income Subsidy) program during the upcoming open enrollment period beginning November 15th, the Ohio Benefit Bank, an initiative of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, will also be distributing Generics Are Powerful Medicines literature throughout its network of over 700 sites and at community events and trainings. The Ohio Benefit Bank is a web-based, estimator of eligibility, and application completion program supporting a wide range of work support benefits including the Extra Help program, Ohio’s Best Rx and Golden Buckeye, food stamps, the Home Energy Assistance Program and is an authorized e-filer of State and Federal taxes, provided at no charge at over 700 community and faith-based organizations around the State. For more information on the Generics Are Powerful Medicines campaign, the Ohio Benefit Bank, or to order educational materials promoting the use of generic medications please contact Nora Nees at nora@oashf.org, 1-800-648-1176 or visit: http://www.oashf.org/outsidelinks.html to preview the materials and a short video.
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51 North High Street Suite 761
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