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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBRIEFING re Jefferson County Food Bank - slide showJefferson County Food Bank Association We provide nutritious food with dignity, respect, and care to anyone in our community in need. www.jcfba.org Overview •Serving (east) Jefferson County since the mid-80’s •4 locations + 1 mobile pantry – centralized operations •Brinnon •Coyle – mobile pantry •Port Townsend •Quilcene •Tri-Area + Distribution Center for all locations Averages- •200+ volunteer – give over 3,900 hours per month •Value = $11,600 •48,700 pounds donated or rescued food per month •Value = $109,500 •Rescues = 60% of food distributed at Port Townsend •135,000 pounds of food distributed each month across our network •Value = $304,000 Food Sources - •Purchases – largest line item in our budget! •Consistency and quality •Emphasis on local and regional procurement •Food Bank Network Partners – Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest •USDA Commodities – through WSDA’s TEFAP program •Food Bank Growers – produce grown by volunteers & donated •Rescues from retailers and food service – big box + local •Donations – organized food drives and individuals Clients Served •2023 – 5,959 individuals = 2,572 households •2024 – 6,576 individuals = 3,139 households •2025 –TO DATE 7,129 individuals or 3,292 households •Average household size is currently 2.2 individuals •We are currently serving 20% of all households in Jefferson County •With SNAP & WIC funding cuts we anticipate a 25% increase in households served in the next month = 4,000+!!! Age Breakdown of Clients 0 to 2 years of age = 2% 3 to 18 years of age = 16% 19 to 54 years of age = 48% 55+ years of age = 34% Demographics •We are an equal opportunity provider •Self declaration of income – up to 400% of federal poverty standard •A household of 2 can earn up to $7,050 per month •Washington State has highest income standards in the county •Families with children •Multi-resident households •Seniors living on a fixed income •Veterans •Homeless or lack of stable housing •Students •Individuals with disabilities •Immigrants •Some of our clients are also volunteers! •Over 900,000 Washingtonians receive SNAP benefits •Program eligibility - household of 2 can earn up to $3,525 per month or 200% of FPL •Whether or not you receive SNAP benefits you can still visit a food bank = 400% of FPL •Illegal immigrants do NOT qualify for the program Current and pending cuts prior to Federal Government Shutdown… SNAP in Washington State •Reduced benefits on average by $56 per households •137,000 people would lose benefits completely due to new/stricter work requirements •33,000 Refugees and asylum seekers not longer eligible for benefits SNAP as October 31, 2025 •On October 28th – Governor Ferguson announces a stop gap measure to support Washington food banks = $2.2 million per week •Funds to be channeled through lead agencies with WSDA contracts – JCFBA is under Port Angeles Food Bank •Funds will be used for food purchases for banks/pantries in Jefferson and Clallam Counties •We still anticipate a 25% increase in households served in the next month = 4,000+!!! The Federal Government Shutdown continues – 42 MILLION Americans to lose SNAP benefits…. Trump administration ordered to use contingency funds – Food for Thought •Food insecurity and hunger is a policy choice •Food is our common denominator – we all eat! •Food is an economic driver •Every dollar in SNAP benefits, about $1.54 in economic activity is generated LOCALLY •Food banks are a backstop – we direct dollars earned to other essential purchasing •Food Banks are a public health partner •Nutritious & culturally relevant food access is a moral and public health imperative •Food Banks are a canary in the coal mine •Food insecurity is more than an empty cupboard or missed meal •Food Banks play a critical role in food security in communities they serve •Infrastructure, supply chain management and sovereignty How can you help? •Donate money - •Host a food drive - •Volunteer - info@jcfba.org www.jcfba.org