WAVERLY, Ohio — Inside the stock room of the Pike Outreach Council of Churches food pantry, staff and volunteers are preparing for a busy week.

They’re offering families practical tips to stretch their supplies like using beans instead of meat as a protein source as demand continues to rise.

“If our clients see us worried, they’re going to worry even more,” said Operations Manager Sherre Kinnison. “We don’t want any chaos, just calm. We want to reassure them that we are here.”

According to state data, more than one in four Pike County residents receives SNAP benefits — the highest percentage in Ohio.

The Pike Outreach pantry currently serves around 275 families, but Kinnison says that number could increase to 300 or even 325 as some residents see their SNAP benefits lapse.

“There’s de

See Full Page