CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Association of Foodbanks is one of four state-based organizations selected for a prestigious $75,000 grant from Share Our Strength’s Medicaid Food Security Partners Program, part of the Medicaid Food Security Network (MFSN). Announced on August 26, 2025, the initiative aims to tackle food and nutrition insecurity by leveraging state Medicaid programs to connect vulnerable populations, particularly children and families, to critical nutrition resources like SNAP and WIC.
The MFSN, a key player in the Food is Medicine movement, awarded grants to organizations in Ohio, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas. Each will receive $75,000 over 18 months, along with technical assistance and collaborative learning opportunities to engage with state Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks will focus on advocating for and implementing policies to boost enrollment in nutrition programs, addressing the needs of the 14 million food-insecure Medicaid enrollees nationwide, nearly half of whom are children.
Dr. Julian Xie, Share Our Strength’s Director of Medicaid and Benefits Integration, emphasized the impact of such programs: “Food is Medicine initiatives like SNAP, WIC, and medically tailored meals can drive significant healthcare savings and improve outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries.”The Ohio Association of Foodbanks will use the funding to strengthen partnerships with state agencies, ensuring eligible Ohioans gain access to vital nutrition support. This effort aligns with the organization’s mission to address hunger and poverty across the state, where food insecurity remains a pressing issue.“We are thrilled and honored to be selected,” said Stephanie McGuire, Chief Learning & Development Officer at SC Thrive, a fellow grantee. “This grant will help us advocate for policies that connect Medicaid recipients to essential nutrition programs, providing comprehensive support for children and families.”
The initiative underscores the power of collaborative efforts to address social determinants of health, with Ohio’s food banks playing a pivotal role in improving health equity and outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries.
