In response to the U.S. government shutdown and the lapse in funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Governor Bob Fergusen is redirecting nearly $2.2 million each week to Washington state food banks to help fill the gap. However, nearly 1 million Washingtonians have been relying on SNAP, which means local food banks and community resources will soon be inundated with people needing increased assistance.
Local restaurants, organizations, and community members have launched into action, organizing grassroots efforts to make sure that anyone who needs food can access it.
Check out the following list of fundraising and volunteer efforts, some of which are tied to specific dates, while others will be ongoing.
Restaurants and businesses stepping in to fill the gap
- Molly Moon Homemade Ice Cream: Every year, Molly Moon raises money through its Anna Banana Milk Fund to support 10 local food bank partners. On Nov. 2, the business is making an extra push for donations, with the goal of raising $100,000. Visit any Molly Moon location or donate online.
- Mioposto: On Nov. 4, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., all locations of the Italian eatery/pizzeria Mioposto will donate 20% of their in-house and takeout sales (excluding delivery services) to local food banks. They will also be taking ongoing donations of nonperishable, shelf-stable food items or personal hygiene products at their restaurant locations to be delivered to local food banks.
- Minor Art Gallery: The gallery is organizing several ways to support Ballard Food Bank: Donate to a GoFundMe for the food bank (ends Dec. 1); drop off essential items for children and babies by Nov. 21 at the gallery, all of which will be delivered to Ballard Food Bank; purchase art from local artists at a Benefit Art Show, where 100% of proceeds will go to the food bank.
- TOASTED. Bagels & Coffee: Donate funds toward the bagel joint’s “Neighbor’s Tab” initiative, which will feed breakfast to anyone in need. Every $5 donated covers the cost of a sandwich and drink.
- Cocoa Legato: Donations to the “Neighborhood Gift Card” will help offset the costs of free meals that the Greenwood cafe is offering to patrons.
- Lenox: Donate funds via Venmo (@lenoxcommunitysupport) to help the Afro-Latin restaurant cover takeout meals being offered to community members.
- Taco City Taqueria: Support the taqueria in providing free meals to children through the month of November and beyond.
- Howdy Bagel: Give toward a “Neighbor’s Tab” to help Howdy Bagel cover free bagels and sandwiches being offered to families in need.
- Radnor’s Tacoma: Contribute to Radnor’s “Neighbor’s Tab” (either in person or online) to cover the costs of donated meals. Every $5 donated will pay for a burger, fries or apple, and a drink.
- Atrium Kitchen Pike Place: Donations to Atrium Kitchen’s monthly community meals will help them provide multicourse meals free of charge.
- Support restaurants offering free meals: A number of establishments, like ChuMinh Tofu & Vegan Deli, Jude’s Old Town, Askatu Bakery, Luv-a-Latte Espresso, and more, are offering free meals to people facing food insecurity. Show your support and appreciation by dining at these restaurants. Many Seattle Restaurant Week participants also are inviting diners to donate an item from their menu or donate proceeds from an item.
Ongoing volunteer and community-driven efforts
Seattle Community Fridge: Monetary donations will help mutual aid group Seattle Community Fridge maintain community fridges, stock pantries, and buy other necessities. If you’d like to donate items, please review these guidelines first.
Wa Na Wari: Donations to this local organization will help provide free “African diasporic and Native American-inspired cuisine, prepared by Black/Indigenous chefs” twice a week. They also are accepting nonperishables and grocery store gift cards.
University of Washington Food Pantries: The Seattle and Bothell UW campuses are accepting monetary donations, as well as shelf-stable food items and hygiene products, for food pantries that are open to UW students, faculty, and staff. Make an online donation to the Seattle campus here or to the Bothell campus here.
Food Drives: Spoonfed Training (Tukwila), Celine Waldmann (Capitol Hill), B Town Yarn (Burien), Molly’s Bottle Shop (Ballard), Little Pandas Play Cafe (Everett), Brewmaster’s Taproom (Renton), Boon Boona (all locations), Friday Afternoon Tea (Wallingford)
Grocery Store Gift Card Drive: Purchase grocery store gift cards to be delivered to local South Seattle schools and distributed by the school staff and PTAs. Venmo a donation to @Ashlee-thomas-5 (with the note “SSGCD”), or email ssgiftcarddrive@gmail.com if you have a gift card to donate or would like to adopt a specific school.
Volunteer at or donate to local food banks: (Some food banks will also take toiletries and baby items, so check the websites to learn about a food bank’s specific needs.)
- Asian Counseling and Referral Services Food Bank
- Ballard Food Bank
- Central Area YWCA Food Bank
- El Centro de la Raza Food Bank
- Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank (Tacoma)
- Georgetown Food Bank
- Giving Room Food Bank at Epic Life Church (Northgate)
- Greenwood Food Bank
- Highline Area Food Bank
- Jewish Family Service Food Bank (Capitol Hill)
- Kent Food Bank
- Lifelong’s Meal Distribution Program
- North Helpline Food Banks (Bitter Lake & Lake City)
- Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church Food Bank
- Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank
- Puget Sound Labor Agency Food Bank (Georgetown)
- Queen Anne Food Bank
- Rainier Valley Food Bank
- Seattle Indian Center Food Bank and Community Meals
- SODO Community Market
- University District Food Bank
- Wallingford Food Bank
- West Seattle Food Bank
- White Center Food Bank
For a complete listing of food banks throughout Washington, check out this map from Northwest Harvest and a current list of their needs.
