The one in 10 Washington residents who rely on the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are preparing for the worst. With the now 31-day-long government shutdown still in effect, SNAP benefits will lapse on Nov. 1 for the first time in the program’s history. To stave off some of the pain, Mayor Bruce Harrell proclaimed a limited civil emergency to direct $8 million in funds toward Seattle-area food banks. 

Harrell’s limited emergency order will send funding directly to food banks rather than restoring individuals’ SNAP benefits. That means instead of paying for food at reduced prices at any grocery stores, SNAP users will need to line up at a food bank. 

"Our city has a strong network of local food banks, and we're prepared to fill the gap left by the other Washington's dysfunction with immediate action and $8 million to support our neighbors in need,” Harrell said. 

The City chose to fund food banks and meal programs because it’s the most barrier-free route available to get food to Seattleites, says Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck. Cities and states don’t have access to the SNAP infrastructure. The only infrastructure we have on a city-level that compares to SNAP is FreshBucks, but there are only 12,000 people in Seattle enrolled in the program, and it would take much more time to enroll new people into it than to direct them to their local food bank. 

The funds come from the city’s reserves, and will be distributed $4 million per month. So, hopefully the shutdown lifts before the new year. If it doesn’t “and the need remains,” Mayoral spokesperson Jamie Housen says the mayor “can extend the order and investment.”

According to federal data, Washington state receives more than $173 million in monthly food benefits. It is unclear how much the Seattle area receives, or how much of a stop-gap Harrell’s emergency funding is. 

Earlier this week, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced that he was directing the Department of Social and Health Services to direct $2.2 million a week to the state Department of Agriculture, the agency that delivers grants to food banks. That money will funnel toward food banks rather than individuals as well. Even before the government shutdown pushed SNAP off a cliff, Trump cuts and cancelled food shipments had put Washington food banks in a bad way, according to the Washington State Standard. 

With the sweeping loss of federal funds, “we’re at COVID-levels of crisis management,” says Rinck. “So we need to move toward these kinds of emergency proclamations.” 

Directing this funding into food banks and meal programs will put stress on their existing infrastructure. But by declaring an emergency, the mayor’s office is also able to redirect City staff and vehicles to provide operational support and make sure food is distributed to people who need it. It’s not yet clear if that’s part of Harrell’s plan. 

“We have to have a proactive approach to getting that food out there,” Rinck says. 

For food banks, this emergency funding is stabilizing. Northwest Harvest, a hunger relief non-profit, operates two free markets—one in Yakima, one in Seattle. It also distributes food to a network of more than 375 food banks and meal programs. 

"We are deeply embedded in Washington’s hunger relief infrastructure," Natasha Dworkin, director of communications at Northwest Harvest wrote in an email. "Emergency funding like this will help... keep shelves stocked and meet growing demand with dignity and care."

Dworkin said Northwest Harvest was already seeing increased demand this year ahead of the SNAP benefits pause. Plus, new changes to work requirements and exemptions for SNAP that came from the Trump administration earlier this year reduced food access for many. Medicaid cuts add further strain on those in need.

"The government shutdown has created widespread uncertainty, and families who rely on federal assistance are turning to food banks and community markets in growing numbers," Dworkin said. "We expect this increased demand to continue—and likely intensify—even after the shutdown ends."

City Council will hold an emergency vote on Monday to ratify the order. Council President Sara Nelson, and Councilmembers Joy Hollingsworth, Dan Strauss, and Rinck have already made statements in support of the funding. It’s expected to pass.

Update: 

Update: As of Friday afternoon, two federal judges in different states issued rulings opposing the Trump administration’s handing of SNAP benefits. A Rhode Island judge blocked the administration from ceasing to pay for SNAP while a judge in Boston, Massachusetts ruled the suspension of benefits was “unlawful.”

When asked how this would impact Harrell’s order, mayoral spokesperson Kevin Mundt wrote in an email: 

“We are currently reviewing the implications of these rulings and monitoring any potential gaps in SNAP payments. It is unclear at this time whether SNAP funding will cover all or only part of regular allocations in November. We have little trust that President Trump will do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for our must vulnerable. There is also the probability of an emergency appeal of the ruling by the Trump administration.

With this uncertainty and because of a possibility for a reduction in funding, at this time the City will continue moving forward quickly to support our food banks and meal program partners to meet emerging needs should a gap in benefits occur.”