November 4, 2025 -- Columbus City Schools (CCS) is joining forces with the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners' Office, and local community partners to support hungry students in families affected by the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the Federal government shutdown. With thousands of families facing food insecurity, CCS is acting swiftly to ensure no child goes hungry.

"The government shutdown is creating new challenges for families, particularly those who depend on SNAP to meet their basic needs," said Superintendent and CEO of Columbus City Schools Dr. Angela Chapman. "Access to food should never be uncertain for any child.”

CCS serves nearly 47,000 students, all of whom are eligible for free breakfast and lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision. Almost 20,000 CCS students’ families are enrolled in SNAP, and for many, school meals are a reliable source of nutrition. The loss of SNAP benefits threatens to deepen food insecurities at home, directly impacting students' ability to learn, focus, and thrive in the classroom.

"At Columbus City Schools, we believe that every student deserves stability, nourishment, and the chance to focus on learning, not hunger," Dr. Chapman said. "We'll continue to advocate for our families and work with community partners to make sure support and resources are within reach."

As part of the regional partnership, CCS is planning to open five food distribution sites on Friday, November 7, that could be used weekly should the situation continue: 

• Partnering with the City of Columbus on a $125,000 grant to distribute more than 46,000 ready-to-eat meals weekly to families in need. 

• Meal pick-up at the five sites for CCS families will be on Friday, November 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

• CCS staff will volunteer at five sites throughout the city to distribute food. 

• CCS initially plans to offer student meals at these five sites, pending final confirmation:

  • West High School, 179 S. Powell Ave. 

  • South High School, 1160 Ann St. 

  • Walnut Ridge High School, 4841 E. Livingston Ave. 

  • Columbus International High School, 4077 Karl Rd. 

  • Linden McKinley STEM Academy, 1320 Duxberry Ave. 

• Each meal has a guaranteed 120-day lifespan, ensuring families have long-term availability.

• CCS schools’ employees are also hosting turkey drives at eight locations later in the month to provide families with holiday meals and promote community care.

“The current federal government shutdown continues to disrupt the quality of life for over one million Ohioans throughout local communities like Columbus and others,” said CCS Board of Education President Michael Cole. “I am proud to stand with our City and County leaders in the fight against food insecurity for the children and families of Columbus City Schools. The whole child approach to academic readiness and nutrition is our north star to ensure that children throughout our neighborhoods have safe havens to find nourishment and knowledge.” 

CCS is also expanding community outreach through districtwide food drives and school-based distribution events. In advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, several schools will host turkey and pantry drives to provide families with nutritious meals and promote neighborhood solidarity. 

"This pooling of resources cannot replace the $31 million that should be flowing unimpeded to Franklin County SNAP recipients this month," said Mayor of Columbus Andrew J. Ginther. "But we're going to do what Columbus does best – stack hands and rise to the occasion so we may help as many residents as possible stay healthy, safe, and stable."

The District is working closely with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and Franklin County Job and Family Services to share food access information and direct families to local pantries using FreshTrak.

"These funds will help Mid-Ohio Food Collective procure more product, better support neighborhood pantries, and ramp up operations to help as many people as we can," said Mid-Ohio Food Collective President and CEO Matt Habash. "More than that, they are proof that when times are tough, central Ohioans look out for one another. We asked the community to help us hold the line against hunger, and our city and county leaders answered the call."

Community efforts from the City of Columbus include pop-up food and resource distribution centers in each city quadrant, expanded Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) enrollment support, and citywide food drives through employee and volunteer initiatives.

“We challenged Columbus residents last week to do their part to make sure their neighbors are fed, and the response has been clear: while the federal government is failing to take care of its people, Columbus’ support for our community is unwavering,” Council President Shannon G. Hardin said. “So much remains uncertain around SNAP benefit funding, but Council will continue to lead with compassion and do everything in our power to make sure that our residents are cared for during this time.”

Columbus City Schools and the City of Columbus remain committed to serving families beyond the classroom. The District's response of providing food for families outside of school allows educators, families, and students to continue its mission to grow minds, bodies, and futures—proving once again that when Columbus stands together, every student's well-being comes first.