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Hunger Relief Group Asking For Increased Funding To Programs

Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks
Andy Chow
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks

Gov. John Kasich has warned state agencies and associations that this year’s budget will be tight. However, one group believes that’s exactly why Kasich needs to increase funding in one specific area.

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks is asking for a $20 million increase to hunger relief programs over the next two years.

The group’s Lisa Hamler-Fugitt says these programs provide 30% of the food that’s distributed statewide to the hungry and underfed.

She says they’re pushing for different pots of money to be condensed into one funding stream.

“Instead of single-sourced, siloed programs that operate separate and apart, we want full integration."

Hamler-Fugitt says the possible recession that Kasich has been warning about means more people will be in need of this kind of support.

Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.