Today is National Food Bank Day, a time to raise awareness of food insecurity and highlight the vital role of food banks in helping those in need. At JFS, we’re seeing skyrocketing demand for food assistance at the same time that food donations and funding are plummeting.
Thanks to our generous community, JFS has provided free food to our neighbors in need for nearly 100 years. But demand is now at a record high. This summer, we served 190 people in a single day—the most in our food bank’s history. Statewide, food bank visits have increased nearly 60% since 2021. Polack Food Bank visits increased 25% in the first half of 2025 compared to the last half of 2024. And we anticipate another 25%-30% increase in food bank visits in the coming year due to changes in government benefits and rising inflation.
On Monday, September 8, the devastating changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that Congress and the President approved a couple of months ago will go into effect. It is the largest cut to SNAP in history. More than 908,000 people in Washington received $168 million in SNAP benefits in March 2025—about 11% of the state population. Nationwide, 42 million people receive SNAP benefits.
Here’s how some of the changes will affect our community:
- Reduced benefits: Benefits will be reduced for everyone (an average of $56 per month). For example, a family of four’s SNAP benefits will fall from $975 to $848. Before these changes, nine out of 10 meals for food-insecure individuals came from SNAP and the rest came from food banks or other meal programs. Now they will need to turn to food banks for more meals. The new law also slashes federal spending on nutrition programs nationwide by an estimated $186 billion over 10 years.
- Reduced access: New work requirements could cause more than 130,000 Washingtonians to lose their SNAP benefits. In addition, 33,000 refugees and asylees would no longer be eligible. Studies have shown that work requirements do not boost employment but do make it harder for people to access benefits.
- Economic impact: Each dollar from the SNAP program produces more than $1.50 in economic activity at grocery stores, farmers markets, and more, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- State budget: Since these changes increases Washington’s cost share of benefits by, at a minimum, more than $100 million, there will be less money for other services.
Meanwhile, food donations and funding are rapidly decreasing, making it harder than ever to keep our shelves stocked. $1 billion in federal cuts to USDA food programs means fewer healthy staples for food banks and schools. Food donations from key partners have dropped 75%. And the rising cost of groceries means eggs are unaffordable and meats and canned goods are scarce.
Our community is struggling—and the need continues to grow.
Join us in fighting hunger in our community. The JFS Community-Wide Food Drive begins Monday, September 8, and culminates with our annual Food Sort on Sunday, October 5. Let’s make sure no one in our community goes hungry.
You can also take action by signing onto this letter urging Members of Congress to cosponsor the upcoming Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025, which would repeal the damaging SNAP cuts enacted in the recent budget reconciliation law.
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