The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank (SVFB) is facing a growing crisis as federal nutrition cuts take effect, slashing food support just as local needs increase.
“Since March, we’ve seen a dramatic loss of food support,” said SVFB Executive Director Alison Roberts. “Combined with a drop in donations, the impact on our shelves—and our neighbors—is overwhelming.”
Key challenges include:
- Major cuts to the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
- Reduced deliveries from Northwest Harvest, eliminating staples like canned meat, oil, and dry goods
- Cuts to SNAP (food stamps), shrinking benefits and tightening eligibility for local families
SVFB is receiving 3,000 fewer pounds of food per month compared to last year. With costs rising, the food bank has increased its purchasing budget but cannot sustain the pace without help.
“We’ve had to reduce how much food we give each family,” said Roberts. “Without more support, we may run out of vital supplies.”
She added that the Food Bank is prioritizing items for its most vulnerable clients. “We’re experiencing shortages in many items,” Roberts said. “During this critical time, we are prioritizing essentials for our most vulnerable clients—such as Ensure nutrition shakes for seniors and powdered infant formula for families. We are also focusing our purchasing efforts on staple foods like pasta, rice, and canned tuna.”
To help guide donations and support, SVFB regularly publishes a list of items in critical need: snoqualmievalleyfoodbank.org/donate
Roberts also expressed concern about what could happen if support continues to decline. “Food insecurity can lead to long-term health impacts, from children to senior citizens,” she said. “We need to come together as a community to ensure that everyone has the food and nutrition they need. It pains me to think that there are kids in our schools that could be going to bed hungry, or senior citizens on fixed incomes having to decide between paying for medication or paying for food.”
How You Can Help:
• Host a Food Drive – SVFB aims to double the number of drives in 2025
• Donate Funds – Financial gifts help fill urgent gaps
• Drop Off Food – Top needs include tuna, mac & cheese, baby formula, and canned soups
Donations accepted daily at 122 E 3rd St, North Bend.
Learn more at snoqualmievalleyfoodbank.org
Together, we can keep food on the table for families who need it most.
