CINCINNATI —

Hamilton County leaders, pastors, and community advocates joined forces Friday to protect SNAP benefits before the Nov. 1 expiration date.

They banded together for a news conference at Bethel Baptist Church, launching a " People's Petition " for residents to send a message to state and federal leaders that food relief needs to be protected. Advertisement

"We're in a food desert, the demand has gotten higher, and now the federal government, we don't have the SNAP benefits," said Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece while speaking in the Walnut Hills neighborhood.

About 97,000 Hamilton County residents, including 43,000 children, risk losing SNAP benefits, according to Reece.

"We must get this fixed at the federal level; it has to be fixed," said Hamilton County Com

See Full Page