Limited Civil Emergency — Seattle OKs $1M a week boost food banks during SNAP uncertainty

Smaller efforts like families rally to increase support for the Tutu’s Pantry program at Capitol Hill’s Stevens Elementary will also help

The City of Seattle is taking emergency action to help residents through the ongoing government shutdown and emergency funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Monday, the Seattle City Council approved Mayor Bruce Harrell’s declaration of a “Limited Civil Emergency” allowing City Hall to fund up to $1 million per week in emergency assistance to local food banks and meal services.

Friday, federal judges ruled against the Trump administration for over the delays in allocating billions of dollars in contingency funding to SNAP participants, including what the city says is more than 50,000 households in Seattle who use the program.

The city says the Trump administration has indicated they will make partial SNAP payments in November but “the timing of those payments is uncertain.”

“The Mayor’s Office is monitoring the implications of these judicial rulings and actions by the Trump administration and will step in to address disruptions in SNAP payments,” the city’s announcement on the emergency action said.

CHS reported here on community efforts to bolster local food banks with donations of goods and — most useful — cash.

The city has launched a consolidated SNAP webpage at seattle.gov/food-assistance that includes a search tool to find the nearest food bank or meal program, information on other available resources, and ways to help.

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