Score a Touchdown for Local Families Apple Cup Food Drive Tackles Growing Hunger in Snoqualmie Valley

North Bend's inaugural Apple Cup Food Drive runs from September 2-20, inviting residents to donate food to the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank while supporting either the University of Washington Huskies or Washington State University Cougars. Donations can be made at City Hall, where each food item contributes to the team's score in a friendly competition. The food bank has identified high-priority needs, including canned proteins and baby formula, as it grapples with unprecedented demand amid federal program cuts. Councilmember Christina Rustik created the decorated donation boxes to enhance community engagement. The federal TEFAP program cut its supply, leaving the food bank to face a perfect storm of reduced resources and increased need.

Recent SNAP benefit cuts further exacerbate the situation, with recipients potentially losing up to 15% of their federal assistance. The food bank’s increased purchasing budget is unsustainable without community support. This drive highlights the importance of collective action to ensure local families have access to essential food supplies.