Food bank, meal program visits in Seattle soar following SNAP cuts

It’s still unclear when federal food assistance will become available again despite a recent federal court order that it be restored.

The supplemental food assistance program, also known as SNAP, ran out of funding on Nov. 1, after the Trump administration said it paused the program due to the government shutdown. In response to the court orders, the administration said the program will be partially funded.

Meanwhile, Seattle-area food banks are seeing a jump in visits, as SNAP recipients scramble for ways to cover the loss.

The University District Food Bank on Roosevelt Way is humming with activity as people file in. Holly Reichman has filled her cart with mostly fresh items like yogurt, cheese, and frozen chicken. Reichman comes to the food bank to supplement the $472 a month she receives through SNAP, the federal food assistance program.

“When I shop, I shop clearance,” she said. “We’re very methodical about freezing items.”

Despite her diligence, Reichman worries how long the government shutdown will last. More than 900,000 Washington residents like Reichman rely on SNAP, federal assistance that amounts to $37 million each week. The program is based on income eligibility and immigration status.

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Even before the SNAP cuts local food banks were strained. The University District Food Bank for example, serves about 3,000 households a week.

“But the end of SNAP benefits during the shutdown is sort of catastrophic, even beyond what we had prepared for,” said pantry coordinator Max Vumbaca.

And demand is exceeding donations.

“We are at a point now where we are purchasing directly more than half of the food that gets distributed here,” Vumbaca said.

In years past, their direct purchase was 30%.

“Supermarkets have sort of tightened up their supply chains around Covid," Vumbaca said. "They don’t have much as much excess that they’re donating to food banks.”

In the short term Vumbaca said the food bank will continue to purchase food as more people need help, but the long view looks grim.

For now, state and local governments are providing temporary support during the shutdown. Gov. Bob Ferguson recently directed $2.2 million to support local food banks across the state. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell authorized up to $4 million a month. While those funds will provide some relief, officials say it's not enough to close the gap.

The next Great Depression?

Meanwhile, some leaders of Western Washington’s faith communities are speaking out against the Trump administration’s decision to partially fund SNAP.

RELATED: SNAP benefits will restart, but it will be half the normal payment

Frank Schuster is an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Seattle, and serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Catholic Community Services of Western Washington. Last year, the nonprofit served more than 700,000 meals for low-income people, many of whom rely on SNAP.

“My friends, many worry that another Great Depression is on the horizon,” Schuster said. “I’m here to tell you: for many in our community, the next Great Depression is already here, and about to get worse.”

Schuster joined two dozen other faith leaders and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal Monday at the All Pilgrims Christian Church in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Rep. Jayapal started the afternoon volunteering for the church’s community lunch program, which has seen an increase in average guests and meals per day since the pause in SNAP benefits.

Greg Turk, the pastor for All Pilgrims, said the community lunch program is now serving about 345 meals per day, a 25% increase from the 276 daily meals the church served leading up to the SNAP cutoff. The demographics of those stopping by for meals, or picking up food to-go is shifting too, Turk said. More families are showing up.

“I think that is something for us to be really sensitive to and aware of as compassionate people,” Turk said. “Families are hurting and already vulnerable, and what we’ve seen is an increase of vulnerability and suffering in the community and beyond.”