WA directs state dollars to food banks as SNAP funding cliff nears

Washington state will allocate $2. 2 million weekly to food banks as SNAP funding faces disruption from the federal government shutdown. Governor Bob Ferguson announced this initiative to address the increased demand for food assistance, with over 905,000 Washingtonians relying on SNAP benefits as of May, totaling $167 million. Ferguson encouraged community support for local food banks through donations and volunteering, emphasizing the importance of grassroots involvement. The federal government, citing a lack of funds, announced it could not provide SNAP benefits starting Saturday, prompting Ferguson's actions.

Democratic officials, including Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to compel the continuation of SNAP payments for November. The U. S. Department of Agriculture's announcement contradicts previous statements about funding availability, raising concerns about food security. Washington's separate nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has sufficient funding for most of November, mitigating some immediate impacts.

This situation underscores a growing reliance on food banks as federal support dwindles and further cuts to SNAP loom.