SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Local food banks are experiencing a sharp increase in demand as hundreds of people stock up on supplies amid fears the ongoing government shutdown could cut off their food stamp benefits.
Partners Inland Northwest in Spokane Valley said it has recently served triple the number of households it typically helps each day, with 280 households served on Monday alone. The organization expects that number to continue climbing as the government shutdown persists.
“I think people are coming here trying to stock up as if there was an incoming flood or something,” said Sarah Henderson, director of development at Partners Inland Northwest. “They just want to come in and get the services they need in case their funding doesn’t come through in November.”
The surge comes as nearly 1 million people in Washington and another 130,000 in Idaho rely on SNAP benefits that could be disrupted if the government shutdown continues. Many recipients fear they won’t be able to use their food stamps next week.
Henderson said the organization has prepared for such emergencies with dedicated funding to keep shelves stocked.
“We’re constantly trying to be prepared for anything that can happen – like if there’s a drought and farmers can’t get as much,” Henderson said. “So, we’re constantly anticipating being able to fill the need and keep our shelves full.”
Partners Inland Northwest has experience managing similar crises. The organization faced comparable demand when COVID-related extra food stamp benefits expired, according to Justin Carlile, director of operations.
“We’ve scaled adversity back then, and we will this time,” Carlile said. “We’ll make sure we are able to meet the need and not tell people ‘no’ and make sure people come away from here in a better situation than when they came.”
The food bank offers more than just food assistance. Partners operates a free clothing store and also distributes diapers and toiletries to families in need.
To maintain adequate supplies, Partners is working closely with Second Harvest. Community members are also organizing food drives to supplement the organization’s inventory.
“I have zero doubt that we’ll be able to meet the demand that our community asks of us,” Carlile said.
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