Washington Food Banking Community Calls On Congress To Do The Right Thing

Northwest Harvest and Auburn Food Bank hosting open media event demanding state congressional delegation supports Washington’s working families.

(Seattle, WA – June 13, 2018) With both houses of Congress getting set to vote on their versions of the US Farm Bill, nearly one million Washington state residents are waiting to see how the federal government will change their current SNAP benefits. Local social service agencies – focused on making sure that low-income families, seniors, veterans, children, and those with disabilities have the resources get enough to eat – are asking members of their state delegation to support their most vulnerable constituents and reject the current version of the House Farm Bill awaiting their vote.

One out of every eight residents in our state rely on SNAP (“food stamps”) to buy groceries from their supermarkets, local grocery stores, and farm stands. “Everyone in our state has the right to access nutritious food,” says Christina Wong, Northwest Harvest’s Director of Public Policy and Advocacy. “The current House version of the Farm Bill empties the cupboards and refrigerators of hard working people. Our elected officials need to know the full negative impact their “yes” vote will have on our state.”

Speakers from several organizations will be appealing to their representatives in Congress. “We are living in a time of great uncertainty,” states Debbie Christian, Executive Director of the Auburn Food Bank. “Washington state needs bipartisan solutions that strengthen programs that have proven to help our communities.”

This public event is open to all media, elected officials, and community members.

EVENT DETAILS:

• Thursday, June 14 at 3:30 PM
• Auburn Food Bank, 930 18th Pl NE, Auburn, WA 98002

EVENT SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Christina Wong, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Northwest Harvest
• Debbie Christian, Executive Director, Auburn Food Bank
• Amina G. Suchoski, Vice President, Growth and Community Development, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
• Rosella Mosby, Owner, Mosby Farms
• Juanita Maestas, Board Chair, Statewide Poverty Action Network
• Pastor Chuck Harris, Messiah Lutheran Church

QUICK SNAP FACTS:

• One out of every eight workers in Washington relies on SNAP.
• Of those on SNAP, 60% are families with children; 32% are families with a member who is elderly or has disabilities; 48% are in working families.
• For every $5 in SNAP benefits spent, $9 is generated in local economic activity. Last year, SNAP spending generated nearly $1.5 billion in Washington’s economy.