As more of our neighbors go hungry, WA lawmakers must do better

Hunger is on the rise, and the programs that serve hungry people in our state need significant investments to keep up with current demand. Food banks and meal programs are on the front lines of an unprecedented hunger crisis, yet Gov. Bob Ferguson recommended $52 million in budget cuts for food banks. At the same time, Congress approved a budget plan that slashes $230 billion from SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Our hungry neighbors need our elected leaders to do better.

People are struggling to put food on their tables as prices — and economic uncertainty — keep rising. Last year, visits to food banks rose 26% statewide, reaching a staggering 13.4 million visits, a huge increase from the 2014-2022 average of 8.2 million. Families with young children, seniors on fixed incomes and workers whose wages haven’t kept up with the cost of living are turning to food assistance programs in record numbers.

Seniors are the fastest-growing demographic among new food bank clients. For the first time in a decade, one in 10 Washington seniors live in poverty. Demand for senior nutrition programs has surged, with services like Meals on Wheels, grocery delivery and senior center meals providing over 3.2 million meals statewide. In King County alone, Sound Generations served over 620,000 meals last year, yet their Meals on Wheels program still had a six-month waitlist, leaving 600 seniors without the help they need.

Behind every statistic are real stories of need. A visitor to a local food bank shared: “This food has helped me through a difficult transition after an injury and a job loss. Thank you for being there for me and my family.” Members of the Seattle Food Committee, a coalition of 28 food banks, hear these stories from our clients every day. 

This isn’t a temporary surge in demand — this is the new reality, and the Legislature’s investments must reflect this scale and urgency. During a recent news conference, Gov. Ferguson suggested faith communities could help fill the gap created by his proposed $52 million cut to food banks. While faith-based organizations are valued partners in feeding the hungry, they are already stretched to their limits. Charity cannot replace strong public policy solutions or the need for progressive revenue to ensure a stable and just safety net for all. 

Recent data from the University of Washington’s WAFOOD project underscores the need for further investments in food assistance. The first survey in the summer of 2020 found that 30% of respondents were food insecure. After significant federal aid arrived, the December 2020 survey showed a small decrease. Now, with state and federal assistance dwindling or ending and prices rising, last month’s survey showed food insecurity rates have nearly doubled to 55%, affecting over two-thirds of households with children. Nearly half had difficulty affording groceries, and three-quarters of food-insecure people reported cutting back on the quality and quantity of food. 

These numbers paint a stark picture: Hunger is a widespread reality across our state, it reaches beyond the income limits for nearly every form of public assistance and it’s directly tied to the rising cost of living. Legislators must respond by prioritizing investments in meals for kids and seniors, food banks for all, and stretching SNAP.

We recognize that the Legislature faces difficult choices. But these are not just fiscal decisions — they’re moral ones. Food is not a luxury but a basic human right. Access to food shapes every aspect of well-being, from health and academic success to long-term economic mobility. Food insecurity hits hardest in communities of color, immigrant households and low-wage households, deepening existing racial and economic inequities. A just budget, supported by equitable revenue solutions, can help close those gaps and ensure no one in our state goes hungry.

Our state has the opportunity and responsibility to protect children, families, and seniors from hunger. This is Washington’s moment to lead.