How Tri-Cities food banks are helping and needing help after SNAP lapse
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- SNAP cuts leave one in six Tri‑Cities families short; federal funds delayed.
- Local food banks expand distribution, adjust hours and staff to meet demand.
- Officials urge cash, food and volunteer donations to sustain expanded services.
The White House agreed to release some funding for SNAP food stamps on Monday, but it’s only expected to cover about half a month’s worth of benefits and may take weeks to reach Tri-Cities families.
That leaves the 1-in-6 Tri-Cities families served by SNAP in a hard spot with the holiday season beginning and no end to the federal government shutdown in sight.
It takes about $8 billion each month to fund SNAP, and the Trump administration will move to free up around $5 billion in contingency funds after a court order. White House lawyers told the court it could take “weeks to months” to get the money flowing again.
That could be the only payment made until the federal government reopens.
More than 17,000 households in the Tri-Cities, or 45,000 people, received food stamps last year, according to USDA data.
Most of the households included children, an elderly family member or someone with a disability.
Some food banks in the Tri-Cities area will get a little extra help from Washington state leaders, but it’s unlikely to be enough to offset the hundreds of dollars many families won’t see this month.
Washington state steps in
St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Pasco will be receiving the extra money to disburse to their food bank and four others in the area. The organization’s president, Lindy Styer told the Tri-City Herald they estimate it’ll be around $42,000 a week.
Those other food banks include Basin City Health Services, Connell Food Bank, Pasco Community Services and the Salvation Army.
It’s part of a $2.2 million weekly infusion announced last week by Gov. Bob Ferguson. It will be distributed by local Emergency Food Assistance Program partners across the state. St. Vincent de Paul is the lead agency in the Tri-Cities area.
“That will be divided up between five food banks, on a weekly basis,” she said. “That will actually be good so we can buy produce with that (and) meat. That’s the one thing we’re always looking for is really nice protein.”
St. Vincent de Paul primarily serves the Pasco area. The Tri-Cities Food Bank has Kennewick, Richland and Benton City locations. There are also a number of smaller food pantries in the area, which can be found with 2nd Harvest’s Food Finder tool.
Bracing for surge in need
Styer said the food bank’s leaders got together Monday morning to plan for a surge in need when they open their doors Wednesday.
Like most area food bank, St. Vincent de Paul has seen a sustained increase in need since the end of extra government funding to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Typically, they serve about 100,000 pounds of food to more than 1,600 Tri-Cities families each week.
Families on SNAP receive an average of just $6 per day, per person in 2024, according to the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities.
Styer said on a normal Wednesday their volunteers are busy all day and parking is an issue, so they’re asking folks to be patient.
Clients should also keep in mind that ongoing construction in the area could snarl traffic. They may ask drivers to circle the block to help keep the line moving since the facility has limited parking.
“Even a 20% increase (in clients) will be taxing, but we have made a commitment that once the gates close at 4 p.m., if you’re inside the gates we will stay,” she said.
They’re also planning to try and open earlier to make sure every family in need has a chance to get help. That means volunteers are working overtime to prepare.
In need of donations and volunteers
“We’re 99% volunteer, 100% miracle,” Styer said.
That means they can always use more help. Styer said they’re eager to introduce more community partners to their missions, so organizations interested in helping should reach out to learn more.
“We could use some weekend muscle because most of these guys are retired,” Styer said. “The more we have, the more we can do.”
Styer said that even if someone cannot volunteer, they can always help with monetary or food donations.
Financial help works better because donors don’t have to try and coordinate a time to make a dropoff, and it allows the food bank to focus on the areas of greatest need. Those areas can range from food to supplies such as plastic bags for separating donations and other daily needs.
Styer said that the one good thing to come out of all of this is that the community has a chance to see how big of a difference they can make for their neighbors.
“One of the things a lot of us recognize is that the government isn’t as reliable as Christian charity sometimes,” she said.
That spotlight lets people in need know where they can find help, and encourages others to give their time.
“I think the food banks are glad that more attention is being given to how the community takes care of their own, and not having to rely on sources outside our community,” she said. “That part has been a really welcome focus, so the community knows we’re here and how we all come together.”
Styer said that while losing SNAP will be particularly hard on families during the holidays, fortunately it’s also the time of year when many community members are looking for ways to help.
Where to find help
• Tri-Cities Food Bank - Kennewick, 424 W. Deschutes Ave. Richland, 321 Wellsian Way. Benton City, 712 N. 10th St.
• St. Vincent de Paul Food bank - Pasco, 215 S. 6th Ave.
• Senior Life Resources/Meals on Wheels - Richland, 1844 Fowler St.
• Other local food pantries - Search 2nd Harvest’s food finder.
• Pet food - Tri-Cities Animal Shelter, 1311 S. 18th Ave. in Pasco. Benton Franklin Humane Society, 1736 E. 7th Ave, Kennewick.
• Salvation Army - Pasco, 310 N 4th Ave.
• Call 211 or visit Wa211.org for help finding other resources.
Businesses helping out
• Best Pizza Ever at Pasco Specialty Kitchen, 110 S. 4th Ave., is offering free ‘SNAP Slices’ until benefits are reinstated. They’re also letting customers help by paying it forward for $1 per slice.
• Ethos Bakery and Cafe, 702 the Parkway and 2290 Keene Rd. in Richland, is also running a ‘Pay it Forward’ campaign offering a free cup of coffee, breakfast sandwich or loaf of bread to SNAP recipients. Just ask to “put it on the tab.” Excess funds donated will be used to provide bread in food distribution efforts with other local businesses.
How to help
Donate directly to food banks such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Tri-Cities Food Bank, 2nd Harvest and others.
All of these organizations are also looking for volunteers. Roles range from helping clients to sorting food and unloading trucks. Visit their websites for more information.
Donors can also give at the checkout lane this holiday season at many local stores such as Yoke’s Fresh Markets, Marshall’s, Ross and others.
