F
ood for Thought
Washington Food Coalition newsletter / Spring 2020
WaFoodCoalition.org
No one in Washington State should go hungry
Message from new Board Chair - Leon Brauner So, you and I are members of a coalition. We hear a lot about political coalitions, but what about one that includes, food banks, food pantries, government agencies, hunger relief organizations, meal programs, and is statewide? What does it mean to be a part of the Washington Food Coalition? Coalitions are usually formed to enable the constituents to speak with one, more powerful, voice – to act – to make things happen. A high-functioning coalition helps educate the public as well as its own members. The best practices of one food pantry are shared with another. The newsletter, conference, and workshops become the hub for networking, sharing news from our colleagues at the Washington Department of Agriculture, or one of our food distributors, Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest, or Second Harvest. The important role that we, as members, play in advocacy for those in need is amplified and made stronger and louder by our being part of a coalition. The Washington Food Coalition is alive and well and serving the needs of all of us who, in turn, serve our communities. In time of upheaval or crisis, organizations are often “put to the test.” The Washington Food Coalition has truly stepped up to the test. The daily Washington Food Coalition Covid-19 Update keeps us all up to date on CDC and state health department recommendations, and cautions. News from our hunger relief partners as well as important information about the Department of Agriculture, has been brought to our fingertips by the e-newsletter, even before we knew we needed it. With a private donation we were able to procure needed and hard to find PPE such a gloves, sanitizer and masks and distributed to members. Current information, resources and best practices of you our members are posted on the WFC website and on our Facebook page. Our executive director and board members have fielded numerous telephone, email, and even texted questions from members. Working with our partner agencies we mount written, and face to face advocacy. We are reminded to sign-on to petitions for stronger and more expansive social legislation – legislation that benefits our communities. We are called to meet with our state legislators to share with them the stories of those we serve. New government and state agency rules and regulations are called to our attention in our monthly MemberNews and at conferences so that we can comply with the new rules and regulations and serve our clients to the high standard we strive to. Regional representatives work on the board and within its committees so that the needs of our clients are heard by the organizations that provide the food banks, pantries and meal programs with food and services. Yes, we are a highly functioning coalition. Our voices are amplified and directed to the right ears. We continue to become stronger because we share our best practices with each other and continue our education in coalition conferences and workshops. Each of our voices is critical to the continued growth and strength of our coalition.
Food Assistance Resources for a COVID Summer By Claire Lane, Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition
Throughout this pandemic, Congress and our state agencies have acted quickly to shift policies and service delivery models - and even to create new programs - to ensure hungry people have safe access to food when they need it. This a high-level summary of how federal hunger safety net programs (not including food banks) have adapted to meet needs through this summer:
Basic Food (food stamps)
Basic Food (food stamps) provides money to buy food from grocery stores, farmers markets, and other certified stores. Now you can also use Basic Food online at Amazon and Walmart for grocery delivery (depending on service areas). To apply for SNAP online, go to Washington Connection, or by phone, call (877) 501-2233.
COVID-19 Changes:
Suspend all time limits based on work requirements: A national temporary waiver of the 3-month time limit for SNAP for certain unemployed and underemployed adults (ABAWDs, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents). Any low-income adult who lost access to SNAP within the past three years because they could not meet the work requirements is now able to apply for SNAP.
Emergency Allotments:
Beginning on March 31, any SNAP household that was not already receiving the maximum benefit for their household size received a monthly increase in their SNAP benefits. This additional SNAP benefit will continue until the federal public health emergency declaration is rescinded, or Gov. Inslee’s emergency declaration ends. Unfortunately, the lowest income SNAP households already were receiving the maximum benefit (approximately 40% of all SNAP households nationwide), so they did not receive any increase.
WIC
The WIC Program provides support for low-income pregnant and nursing mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. Anyone - including fathers, grandparents, and foster parents – caring for a young child can get support if they meet eligibility requirements. Since December, all WIC benefits are on an EBT card. This summer, the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program will provide vouchers ($32 or $64) to WIC families to shop at most farmers markets. To apply for WIC, call the Help Me Grow WA Hotline at 1-800-322-2588, or text “WIC” to 968-59. COVID-19 Changes: • All required appointments, including the application process, are now done remotely (by phone or videoconference) unless a family wants to come to the office. • More flexibility in food choices for WIC shoppers based on what stores have in stock.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
Congress created a new, one-time federal benefit for ALL kids who qualified for free or reduced-price (f/rp) school meals but may have missed meals when schools closed. P-EBT provides food assistance so families can buy groceries; it works like food stamps but is a totally separate program and has no effect on a child’s or parent’s immigration status. For families with Basic Food, P-EBT benefits will be added to their existing EBT card June 28- July 7. For all other families, whose child(ren) qualified for subsidized school meals (including kids who attend schools where all students get meals for free), families must complete a simple form to get their benefits. Beginning on June 28, the application will be online at www.WashingtonConnection.org or via phone at (877) 501-2233 at DSHS’ Customer Contact Center. Deadline to complete applications is August 31 or the day before school begins in the fall, whichever is later. More information (including outreach flyers in multiple languages and Frequently Asked Questions) is available at K12.wa.us/PEBT.
Summer Meals
Nearly every school district has been offering free meals for all kids while schools are closed. Now that the school year has ended, schools and community-based organizations are advertising their Summer Meals programs, using USDA waivers to shift from the traditional congregate model. To search for a Summer Meal site online, go to www. nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals, or text the word “FOOD” (in Spanish, “COMIDA”) to 877-877. (Site information will be updated every day.) COVID-19 Changes: • Sites that have been operating since schools closed in March do not have to be located where at least 50% of kids qualify for subsidized school meals. • Children don’t have to stay onsite to eat their meal – in fact, a parent or guardian can pick up meals and the child does not have to be present. • Sites can provide breakfast and lunch at the same time, as well as multiple days’ worth of meals at once – some school sites are even distributing a week’s worth of meals at once. • Some schools are delivering meals along normal school bus routes instead of at school.
Board Members WFC Chair
Leon Brauner
Ocean Shores Food Bank
WFC Vice Chair
OPEN SEAT
WFC Immediate Past Chair
Ken Trainor
Sunrise Outreach Services
WFC Treasurer
Jennifer Hardison
South Kitsap Helpline
WFC Secretary OPEN SEAT Anita Sailor
Rural Resources Community Action
Taine Shoemaker
Colville Food & Resources Center
Bob Mark
Upper Valley MEND
May Segle
Entiat Valley Community Services Food Bank
Scott Kilpatrick
Community Services of Moses Lake
OPEN SEAT Dist 3
Ariel Medeiros
LaDow/Garfield Food Pantry
Debbie Niehenke
Colton/Uniontown Food Pantry
Cecilia Chavez
Toppenish Community Chest
OPEN SEAT Dist 5
VJ Meadows
Tri-Cities Food Bank
Home Delivered Meals for Seniors
Seniors over the age of 60 may be able to have prepared meals delivered to their homes. Visit Community Living Connections or call 1-855-567-0252 to connect with a nearby senior center.
OPEN SEAT Dist 6
Jeff Mathias
Blue Mountain Action Council
OPEN SEAT Dist 7
Chris Hatch
VOA Western WA
Kathy Moe
Stanwood Camano Food Bank
Dan Lancaster
Multi-Service Center/Federal Way Food Bank
Cori Walters
Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank
Ahndrea Blue
Making A Difference Foundation/ Eloise Cooking Pot
Michelle Douglas
Emergency Food Network (EFN)
Kellie McNelly
ROOF Community Services
Robert Coit
Thurston County Food Bank
Alan Hamilton
Clark County Food Bank
Liz Cerveny
North County Community Food Bank
Leon Brauner
Ocean Shores Food Bank
Robert (Bob) Ryan
North Pacific County Food Bank
Andra Smith
Sequim Food Bank
Chris Benson
Central Kitsap Food Bank
At-Large Members Kris Van Gasken
This newsletter is prepared with funds made available by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Food Assistance programs. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
Des Moines Area Food Bank
Announcing the 20-21 Board of Directors We are proud to announce the FY20-21 Board of Directors for the coalition. The Board of Directors represents 14 different districts around the state. We recently completed elections for the even numbered districts. I would like to introduce you to our new and returning even numbered district representatives. See page 3 for a complete list of our board of directors. District 2 – Chelan, Douglas & Okanogan Counties District 10 – Pierce County Primary Rep: Bob Mark, Upper Valley MEND Primary Rep: Ahndrea Blue, Eloise Cooking Pot Alternate: May Segle, Entiat Valley Community Alternate: Michelle Douglas, Emergency Food Network Services Food Bank District 12 – Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania and Klickitat District 4 – Spokane and Whitman Counties Primary Rep: Alan Hamilton, Clark County Primary Rep: Ariel Medeiros, LaDow/Garfield Food Pantry Food Bank Alternate: Debbie Niehenke, Alternate: Elizabeth Cerveny, North County Colton/Uniontown Food Pantry Community Food Bank District 6 – Benton and Franklin Counties District 14 – Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap & Mason Counties Primary Rep: Andra Smith, Sequim Food Bank Primary Rep: VJ Meadows, Tri-Cities Food Bank Alternate: Chris Benson, Central Kitsap Food District 8 – Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island & San Juan Bank Primary Rep: Chris Hatch, VOA Western WA
Alternate: Kathy Moe, Stanwood Camano Food Bank
Let’s get our patrons to fill out the Census, so we can keep filling up their bags! As food banks and programs face immense struggle across Washington State, Washington Nonprofits wants to ensure that you get the funding and support you need for the next 10 years. And a vital way to do so is by getting your patrons counted in the 2020 Census. Especially at this time, you serve as trusted messengers in your communities. And the census turnout will affect funding for SNAP, WIC dollars, food banks and programs, schools, Medicare, Medicaid, community clinics, transportation, infrastructure, and more. When one person does not complete the Census, their community loses $2300 per year. Turnout also determines how many representatives we get in Olympia, Washington, D.C., and the Electoral College. But none of that can happen unless you and those around you complete the Census! 10 Minutes. 10 Questions. 10 Years. Please actively inform your patrons that there are three easy ways to complete the Census: • Online, at my2020census.gov • Over the phone, by calling 1-844-330-2020 (13 languages available) • If you have a PO Box, wait for an enumerator to drop your Census ID packet off on your doorstop, and then input the Census ID online, over the phone, or by mailing back the form.
And we are here to help! Washington Nonprofits, in cooperation with United Way, Faith Action Network, and Northwest Harvest, is distributing Census bags (see photo of brown bag) to food banks and programs in King, Clark, Chelan, Douglas, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanagan, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Yakima, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Thurston counties. If your county is not featured here, and you want Census flyers (see photo in full color) to put in your food bags, please contact Washington Nonprofits Census Manager Morgan Feder at Census@ washingtonnonprofits.org ASAP with your name, organization, shipping address, and number of flyers you want. For a wider variety of other Census materials (in multiple languages) from Washington Nonprofits, including posters, flyers, buttons, and stickers to choose from, please visit our Nonprofit Census Action Toolkit at https://washingtonnonprofits. org/census/request-printed-materials/ and request materials (to be shipped to you at no cost). And, if you prefer faith-based Census materials and flyers to distribute, please email Kendell Tylee at Tylee@fanwa.org. Let’s get our communities counted today to ensure resources for our future!