Gregoire announces new funding for food banks and food stamps

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2008

Governor emphasizes the importance of food distribution programs, donations

SEATTLE � Gov. Chris Gregoire joined leaders from Northwest Harvest and local grocers to discuss growing concern for feeding Washington�s most vulnerable citizens.

�We must come together to address soaring fuel prices affecting everything around us, particularly the cost of food,� Gregoire said. �Escalating food prices dramatically hurt families who are already struggling to make ends meet.�

Gregoire announced the release of $200,000 from the governor�s emergency fund to help food banks offset rising fuel costs. These funds will be distributed by the state General Administration to food banks across the state to help them pick up and deliver food for families.

�Squeezed by food and gas prices, the number of families using food banks jumped this year by 15 percent after being steady or flat over the past several years,� the governor said. �It�s true all over � from Bellingham to Vancouver, Spokane to Seattle.�

�Because of prices now charged at the pump, food banks must weigh whether it is worth it to go pick up donations when they must pay $5 a gallon for diesel,� Gregoire said. �They haven�t had to make that choice before. Our grant will help the food banks close that gap.�

Gregoire also noted unprecedented new funding in food stamp support programs, including $1 million in state funds and $15.5 million in federal funds. This funding will allow food stamp programs, such as WIC (Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program, to increase eligibility to 23,000 more Washingtonians.

Gregoire announced that the state expects a bonus payment from the federal government of about $2 million for Washington�s high level of accuracy and sound management of its food assistance initiatives. This money will be allocated to the state�s general fund.

The state also launched a Web site today to help people easily access information on food banks and nutrition programs.

�I call on Washingtonians to help in any way they can. Food banks especially need donations of cash, food and volunteer time to serve our residents in need,� Gregoire said.

Northwest Harvest is Washington�s only statewide hunger relief agency. It secures 18 million pounds of nutritious food each year for distribution to more than 300 food programs across Washington state, serving 37 of Washington�s 39 counties.