We’re Thankful for SNAP: #NationalCommentDay

At Northwest Harvest, we are thankful to all of you who have worked with us to provide more than 2 million meals each month to our neighbors in need. Our work and your contributions are so important, but we know for so many in our communities, the struggle with hunger would be even worse without the help of SNAP (“food stamps.”) SNAP is our first line of defense against hunger. SNAP helps low-income Washingtonians buy nutritious food from local grocery stores, farm stands, and farmers markets. SNAP helps put food on the table while creating jobs and revenue in our local food economies.

• 1 in 8 Washingtonians who rely on SNAP are thankful for this assistance. More than 60% of our SNAP households are families with children, and almost 32% are households with a senior citizen or a person with a disability.
• 1 in 8 Washington workers are thankful for SNAP, as it helps stretch their earnings to cover their household’s basic needs.
• 51,000 Washington veterans are thankful for SNAP as it puts food on their tables when so many face significant barriers to re-entering our workforce.

SNAP is a lifeline for so many struggling families and individuals. When households lose SNAP assistance, food banks face significantly steeper needs for services, as families turn to charity to help make up the difference. But charity cannot do the work of feeding hungry families on its own: SNAP provides 12 meals for every one meal provided by a food bank.

As we gather with friends and family around the Thanksgiving table, many in our communities are fearful to ask for help with food, thanks to the proposed public charge rule that is impacting immigrant families. So many of us will also be moved by the spirit of the holiday season to give back to our communities. We ask you to consider giving back by taking action to protect access and eligibility to SNAP.

WHAT YOU CAN DO