Title
Consider a Referral Regarding Allocating Funds in Support of the Thurston County Food Bank
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve $50,000 in funding support for the Thurston County Food Bank.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve $50,000 in funding support for the Thurston County Food Bank.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Jim Cooper, Councilmember
Background and Analysis:
As a direct consequence of the federal government shutdown, the President of the United States had halted or reduced the release of new SNAP benefits beginning November 1, 2025, leaving nearly 35,000 Thurston County residents without access to critical food assistance.
The office of Governor Bob Ferguson issued a statement on November 7, detailing how multiple lawsuits and court orders, including a lawsuit filed by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown against the USDA, had resulted in Washingtonians receiving benefits; however, an additional Supreme Court decision and the continued government shutdown have led to uncertainty on if benefits will be distributed and in what amount.
The Governor at that time directed that $2.2 million in state-funded emergency food assistance be transferred to the Washington State Department of Agriculture to support food banks in the first week of November. The Thurston County Food Banks received approximately $60,000 in support from that transfer of funding.
The Governor also used the emergency funding to distribute full SNAP benefits for all people who were scheduled to receive them between November 1 and 12. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services reports that as of November 12, no transfer had been directed for the second week of November, and the Department continues to closely monitor the federal situation and USDA guidance.
The government shutdown ended on Wednesday, November 12, after ...
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