Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Support amid SNAP benefits gap
In the UA tradition of neighbors helping neighbors when a need arises, several community organizations are joining together to help bridge the gap for families facing a temporary loss in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding in November.
Thanks to an initial grant through the Upper Arlington Community Foundation’s Good Neighbor Fund, our UA community partners will be issuing $100 grocery store gift cards to residents who are enrolled in SNAP at an upcoming Grocery Store Gift Card Pick Up date on the afternoon of Thursday, November 6.
This first round of grocery store gift cards is limited to 150 people on a first-registered/first-come, first-served basis. Should a greater need exist than we are able to meet on November 6, additional grocery store gift cards will be made available, and future pick up dates announced, as donations are received to replenish the Good Neighbor Fund grant.
Here’s how to be part of this effort.
Receive Support
Grocery Store Gift Card Pick Up
2-6 p.m. Thursday, November 6
Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road
Pre-register here by Wednesday, November 5
Upper Arlington residents who are participating in the SNAP Program and would like to receive a grocery store gift card are asked to complete a quick online form to help the team plan appropriately. Then, please stop by the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road, between 2-6 pm on Thursday, November 6 to pick up a grocery store gift card. Please bring a copy (paper or screenshot) of your 2025 SNAP benefit Notice of Action – which can be accessed at https://benefits.ohio.gov/ – and proof of residency (ID card or utility bill).
How to Help
Good Neighbor Fund: https://uacommunityfoundation.com/goodneighborfund/
Donations in any amount can be made to the Good Neighbor Fund at the Upper Arlington Community Foundation. When you make your donation, please be sure to indicate that your contribution is to help bridge the gap in SNAP funding. Any donations received that exceed what is needed for this initiative will be retained in the Good Neighbor Fund for the future support of community members with immediate needs. The Good Neighbor Fund provides emergency financial assistance to UA residents for living expenses, home safety repairs, and other urgent needs, through referrals from partners including UA CARES, UA Schools, and Syntero.
Learn more about the Good Neighbor Fund here.
Additional Resources
- FreshTrak – Use this website to find resources and food banks near you.
- Mid-Ohio Food Collective – Provides details of numerous resources to help people live better lives through fresh food and support.
- Tri-Village Packers – this confidential, community-driven food support program provides healthy snacks, breakfast and lunch items for underserved children in the UA Schools over the Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks.
- Heart to Heart Food Pantry, 1944 W. 1st Avenue, Columbus – an open choice food pantry serving clients in need of food assistance.
- CAP4KIDS – provides a list of food, clothing and supply assistance in Central Ohio.
- Children’s Hunger Alliance – Statewide non-profit dedicated to ending childhood hunger.
- Upper Arlington Bridges (upperarlington@neighborhoodbridges.org) – part of a network of Neighborhood Bridges communities that uses technology and social media to advocate for children and families in need, engaging with local residents to help fill those needs. If you have a need that you think Upper Arlington Bridges can help with, reach out via the above email to be connected with an advocate.
- Ohio Benefits – the State’s Ohio Benefits website features resources on various benefits, including accessing food support, health care, childcare assistance, and veterans’ benefits.
- Compass (614-463-9612) – the Congregational Outreach Ministries Program of Assistance & Social Service (COMPASS) is an outreach ministry of Broad Street Presbyterian Church in partnership with other faith-based organizations, collaborating to prevent homelessness and promote self-sufficiency.
- Lutheran Social Services LSS 2-1-1 Network (dial 2-1-1) – a service connecting residents in Franklin County with comprehensive and up-to-date information on social, health, and governmental services.
- Women, Infants & Children (WIC), Ohio Department of Health (614-644-8006) – the program helps eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants, and children up to five years of age, providing nutrition education, supplemental foods, and referral to healthcare and other maternal and child health and human service programs.