HBAC #112: Erin West

In this episode of the Hilliard Beacon Audio Companion, Executive Director Erin West helps us learn about the work, challenges, and steady commitment of the Hilliard Food Pantry. As someone who personally experienced poverty in her youth Erin has brought personal compassion and a professional grit dedicated to housing, youth development, and neighborhood wellness throughout her career.West’s leadership in Hilliard came to yet another test after a 2023 fire displaced the pantry from its long-time Cemetery Road location. From pop-up parking lot operations to temporary homes in churches and shared spaces, the pantry never missed more than two service days—thanks to a flurry of community support and some bold, door-knocking logistics.Now operating out of Hilliard United Methodist Church’s Warehouse 839, the pantry is more than a place to get groceries. West explains how the pantry offers a full client-choice model, allowing individuals to “shop” for items ranging from fresh produce and meats to toilet paper, diapers, and personal care—many of which SNAP benefits don’t cover. “If you ever have extra in your garden,” she adds, “we’ll take it.”But it doesn’t stop there. Cooking and parenting classes, housing and job support, a “share closet” free store, and utility assistance all form part of a wraparound strategy for stability. Your donation dollars also deliver extra value through the purchasing power of the Pantry’s connection to the larger Mid-Ohio Food Collective.Yet even with this expansive model, West is sounding the alarm. Federal and state food assistance cuts are looming, with hundreds of millions in USDA and Ohio funding on the chopping block. “This is going to be a crisis,” she warns, encouraging residents to contact legislators and get involved. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/06/02/advocates-huge-numbers-of-ohioans-stand-to-lose-food-benefits-if-gop-house-budget-becomes-law/The Hilliard Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hilliardbeacon.substack.com/subscribe