Difficult Updates this Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, and it’s got us thinking about what hunger looks like right now, across the country and close to home. Without a doubt, working people, veterans, kids and seniors are facing food insecurity and hunger at ever increasing levels in our community.

One thing we keep coming back to is what changes to SNAP actually mean for families, and how those changes eventually find their way to Ballard Food Bank. An April 2026 report by the Food Research and Action Center highlights the ways that ample SNAP benefits alleviate poverty and support economic stability, improve mental and physical health outcomes throughout the life cycle, and reduce health care spending. The better the benefits, the better the outcomes in all these areas. HR 1 (the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill) brutally reduced access to SNAP.

By April 2026, more than 5 million people have lost SNAP benefits nationwide. According to a recent Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis, since July 2025, about 1.2 million fewer children are receiving SNAP across 25 states where child participation data is available.  

Behind these cold facts are everyday questions families must answer. How do I make groceries last through the end of the month? What other necessities can we forego so I can buy food? How do I make sure my kids have enough to eat? 

Here in Washington, families are already making those choices. A recent University of Washington and Washington State University survey found that 69 percent of households experiencing food insecurity had cut back on the amount or quality of food they ate because of rising prices. Of those using food assistance, 52% used food banks and pantries, 49% used SNAP, and many also relied on school meals.

What do those numbers look like here at Ballard Food Bank? 

In June alone, 433 new households shopped at our Community Market. Our Kindness Café served more than 18,000 meals. And in August, we had a record high of 1,650 meals served in a single day. Our staff are also hearing from anxious neighbors who need help understanding reductions or changes to their government benefits.  

Thanks to our generous community, shoppers find food and resources for all their family members, including pets!

Those numbers have faces behind them. Parents. Kids. Adults of all ages. People who may be visiting us for the first time and people we’ve known for years. As more neighbors walk through our doors, we are working harder than ever to keep our shelves stocked and our meals coming. We cannot address hunger through food banks alone, but we continue to do what we can to fill the gap.

It’s also not too late to raise our voices about this. You can join us in letting your Representative and Senators know that SNAP benefits are important to you, and that only a full restoration (and better yet, expansion) of SNAP will enable our community to thrive.

You play a critical role in carrying out our mission. Thank you for your ongoing advocacy, your donations, and all the ways you help bring food and hope to our neighbors.