Hello Seattle PTA/PTSA Leaders!
We are reaching out to help share information about how you can help people in your community who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy food for themselves and their families.
More than 40 million people in the United States (of which are 930,000 Washingtonians) rely on SNAP benefits to purchase groceries, roughly 39% of those SNAP participants are children.
As of this afternoon, The State of Washington and the City of Seattle has standing firm to support our most impacted communities. The court has given USDA until Monday, November 3rd to clarify how they'll pay for SNAP in full or partially in November.
Governor Ferguson statement on court orders requiring Trump Administration to pay SNAP benefits
AG Brown issues statement on order in SNAP benefits case
City of Seattle response to Snap Funding
On November 1st, if the federal shutdown continues, the United States Department of Agriculture stated that SNAP benefits will not be issued to any recipients. Each week Washington typically receives $37 million in federal funds to support SNAP participants, Governor Furguson has directed roughly $2.2 million to be provided to food banks per week starting November 3rd until federal SNAP funding is restored.
Here are some ways you can help ensure children & their families have the food they need during this challenging time:
Support or help create a local Little Free Pantry
Host a community food drive
Reach out to your school's Principal, Counselor, and/or Social Worker(s) to ask how you can volunteer to help start or support the current Weekend Food Backpack Program
Help your community to connect to resources:
Finding a local food bank
Joining Buy Nothing Groups
Locating Mutual Aid Networks
Call 2-1-1 or visit findhelp.org for assistance
Food Banks and other emergency food programs and systems are more stretched than ever. In 2025 alone one food bank has seen a 63% increase in 2025 of food bags they provided to children. Thank you for considering how your PTA can help organize your community to potentially donate food, funds, or volunteer time to your local food bank.
As the Northwest Harvest has put it beautifully: "Every act of generosity fills the gap and strengthens our network of care across our communities." Each of us deserves the dignity of having our basic needs met, and we are grateful for every generosity your PTA/PTSAs may extend to our most vulnerable friends and neighbors.
We will be updating resources, and will compile information on our Mutual Aid page
Please reach out to our SCPTSA leaders if we can assist you in your efforts, thank you for your time and all the ways you support so many people in our communities!
in solidarity,
Seattle Council PTSA