Washingtons food banks are on the brink

Washington's food banks are on the brink as an estimated 170,000 residents may lose food stamp benefits due to new work requirements imposed by a recent tax cut law. Organizations already facing high demands and limited funding are struggling to provide adequate food options. The West Seattle Food Bank has begun offering cheaper protein alternatives and reducing milk distribution frequency, as development director Robbin Peterson states, “We’re barely scraping by. ” The law raises work requirements for food stamp eligibility, potentially disqualifying 137,000 individuals, including veterans and refugees. In April, over 906,000 individuals in Washington received SNAP benefits, averaging about $6 per day.

Food banks like the Toppenish Community Chest serve around 800 families monthly, with needs remaining high despite seasonal shifts. Advocacy director Aaron Czyzewski warns that the situation resembles the pandemic's challenges but lacks federal assistance. As funding diminishes, food banks may be compelled to cut back on food distributions, worsening food insecurity in vulnerable communities.