Did you know in Ohio if you are disabled or a senior citizen that if you can’t get out to a food pantry on your own that you can designate someone to go for you ?

In Ohio, you can designate a proxy to pick up food for you from a food pantry by providing a Letter of Proxy or a signed, handwritten note. Some Food pantries have their own forms as well.

Most food pantries still require photo identification identification even if another person is picking up for for you . They would require your ID and photo ID for the person picking up your food. It is best practices to call or email the food pantry to confirm their policies.

Some food pantries like Dayton Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank , Mid Ohio Food Collective and the Free Store Food Bank all have their own forms.

A lot of smaller pantries will allow for a letter from the person that needs food.

The letter should include

• Your first and last name.
• Your full home address.
• The first and last name of the person you designate as your proxy.
• The reason you cannot pick up the food yourself (e.g., illness, disability, scheduling conflict).
• Your signature and the date.

The Akron Canton Regional Food Pantry actually provides an example of sample proxy letter that could be submitted for someone else to pick up food.

Some people don’t have access to a car and they see all these drive up food panties did you know In Ohio if you are on a waiver and have managed care Medicaid that your managed care plan will provide you a ride to a food pantry.

A couple years ago I was really struggling I was able to use my waiver transportation to go to a food pantry to get food . The transportation company waited on me and helped me even carry the groceries to my door. This is another option if you want to go your self in person and need a ride.

Even you don’t need a proxy now if you do visit a food pantry in the near future you can always ask about their policies pick up a proxy form in case this is needed for future use.