Bellingham Food Bank suffers as federal funding cuts continue

The Bellingham Food Bank struggles with cuts to federal funding, losing over $800,000 annually from USDA programs that were recently canceled. Spokesperson Stephanie Sisson revealed that the cuts were announced with little notice, leading to immediate consequences for their food supply. Since the end of federal SNAP benefits after the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for food bank services has soared, nearly tripling since 2021. The food bank anticipates that proposed cuts to SNAP in the future could exacerbate the situation, increasing demand even further. Sisson stressed that maintaining community support is crucial, as most funding relies on local donations.

During a time of job losses and economic instability, the food bank’s services are needed more than ever. To support the Bellingham Food Bank, community members are encouraged to contribute through donations. For more information, individuals can visit bellinghamfoodbank. org.