Washington Food Banks Brace for Reductions to SNAP Benefits

young boy putting food in a box at a food bank

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Your contribution can help keep families fed through the months ahead. Photo: iStock

Announcements this week by the Trump administration that it would only partially fund food assistance benefits this month has many local families families struggling to afford groceries. You can help.

Nearly 1 million Washington residents rely on SNAP, and local food banks are experiencing surging demand as more families turn to them for help meeting their basic needs. There are real ways your family can make a difference by giving money, food or time. Every dollar, every can and every hour of your help directly supports families in your community, and shows your kids what it means to care for others.

Donate money

Food banks make it clear: The best way to help is to give money. Cash donations allow them to buy exactly what’s needed often at wholesale prices, and respond quickly as needs change. You can make a one-time or recurring gift for any amount directly through their websites.

a family volunteering at a food bank — You can donate food, time or money to help support local food banks. Photo: iStock

Donate food

If you’d like to get your kids or community involved, consider organizing a food drive with your school, sports team or neighborhood group. Many food banks offer materials and guidance for running a successful drive.

What to donate: Unopened, non-perishable food in good condition, plus hygiene items, diapers and pet supplies.
What not to donate: Home-prepared foods; opened packages; expired, unlabeled or rusted cans; meat that has been stored in a home refrigerator or freezer; or backyard eggs.
Most-needed items:
- Peanut butter
- Canned chicken or tuna
- Chili, soups, stews
- Box meals such as Hamburger Helper, Pasta Roni or Rice-A-Roni
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- White rice
- Gluten-free items of all kinds
- Ensure and protein bars
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Individual snacks
- Pancake mix (regular and gluten free)
- Cooking oil (16–20 ounce bottles)
- Ground coffee
- Diapers, baby wipes and menstrual pads
- Toilet paper and hygiene items
- Dog and cat food

Donate time

Many food banks need volunteers to sort and package donated food for easy distribution. Shifts usually last a few hours and can be done solo, with family or as a group; information is on each food bank’s website.

Note that many locations have age minimums (often 14 and older), but Food Lifeline welcomes volunteers as young as 10 years old with a parent. Expect to be on your feet and moving, sometimes in refrigerated areas, so wear comfortable shoes and a sweater.

Where to donate food

Here’s a partial list of where and how to donate food to help local families in need:

Auburn Food Bank

Donation location: 2804 Auburn Way N., Auburn

Donation times: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Weekend donations can be arranged; call (253) 833-8925

Fall City Community Food Pantry

Donation locations and times:

Farmhouse Market, 33521 S.E. Redmond Fall City Rd., Fall City. Donate 7 a.m.–8 p.m. every day
Hauglie Insurance Professional Building, 33410 S.E. Redmond/Fall City Rd., Fall City. Donate Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Food Lifeline

Volunteer location: 815 S. 96th St., Seattle

Volunteers (ages 10 and older) help sort and repackage food donations. They also welcome shelf-stable food donations, diapers and baby formula.

family in a food bank filling boxes for a donation — Families can volunteer together at an organization like Food Lifeline. Photo: iStock

Hopelink

Donation location: Any Hopelink location: Kirkland, Carnation, Shoreline, Redmond and Bellevue

Donation times: Contact Hopelink for up-to-date donation drop-off hours: drives@hopelink.org or (425) 869-2440

Other resources: Hopelink has a guide for organizing a food drive and a list of most-needed items.

Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank

Donation location: Drop at their off-site warehouse at 930 Seventh Ave. N.W., Issaquah.

Donation times: Nov. 6, 10, 20 and 24, 1–3:30 p.m.

Maple Valley Food Bank

Donation location: 21415 Renton Maple Valley Rd. S.E., Maple Valley

Donation times: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. and Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m., or by appointment

Rainier Valley Food Bank

Donation location: 9021 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle

Donation times: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Other resources: The “Food, Fund and Item Drive Kit” provides guidelines for individuals or groups interested in organizing a drive to collect food, funds or other essential items for the food bank.