BI Steps Up in Response to SNAP Funding Expiration

Friends of the Farms is seeking another round of funding for its Share the Harvest program in response to a rise in food insecurity.

Yesterday, October 31, funding for the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) expired, even though the government is legally required to continue funding it, according to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Two federal judges have afirmed that, despite the ongoing government shutdown, the federal government must continue to fund SNAP, which has already been cut by $187 billion since January.

Statewide, the nearly 1 million people who rely on SNAP will likely be turning more to food pantries for help, pantries that depend on federal grants that have also been cut.

Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson announced on Tuesday (October 28) that he was directing nearly $2.2 million weekly to help support the State’s food pantries.

Also on Tuesday, the Bainbridge Island City Council voted unanimously to provide $30,000 in emergency aid to our local Helpline House food pantry. On Bainbridge, about 400 people rely on Helpine House for food.

Since July, Friends of the Farms, through their Share the Harvest program, have raised more than $30,000 to purchase more than 8,500 pounds of locally grown food to donate it to Helpline.

If you’d like to contribute to this next round of Share the Harvest fundraising to help local families who are struggling to put food on the table, click the button: