Sees Firsthand How Federal COVID-19 Response Legislation Has Helped Food Access & Distribution
Press Release
Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) joined local food bank volunteers and members of the Ohio National Guard who have been deployed to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to help distribute food to families in need. The Mid-Ohio Food Collective serves 20 counties across central and eastern Ohio.
Ohio Governor DeWine authorized a total of 500 Ohio National Guard members to be deployed to foodbanks throughout Ohio to help distribute food due to shortages of volunteers that typically help distribute food but are staying home due to the coronavirus, and because of the increase in demand for food from Ohio's foodbanks. In March, President Trump authorized the use of the National Guard to respond to the coronavirus at full federal expense, which has been extended through August 21, 2020.
Portman is a cosponsor of S. 3713, the Support our National Guard Act, which would provide National Guard soldiers activated on behalf of COVID-19 relief efforts access to the Transition Assistance Management Program, which provides 180 days of premium-free transitional health care benefits after regular TRICARE benefits ends following their activated period.
In addition, Portman met with the organization's leadership to discuss Portman's support of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act, which provided funding for nutrition programs and additional flexibilities to allow food to be distributed efficiently and with social distancing.
"I'm grateful for the work of the Ohio National Guard and everyone at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to help distribute food to those in need throughout central Ohio during this pandemic," said Portman. "I am pleased that the federal COVID-19 response legislation provided additional funding and flexibility to allow our foodbanks to provide critical meals to our children, families, the elderly, and workers across Ohio in need. We must ensure that our foodbanks have the resources necessary and I appreciated the opportunity to learn about the needs of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective today to ensure that they can continue to fill the increased demand during this pandemic."
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