Thousands of Pierce County families in need are expected to have less food as a local food bank struggles with fewer donations, a large funding cut, and an increase in the number of people asking for help.
Nourish Pierce County Food Bank, which has at least 21 locations across the county, is bracing for a significant funding cut.
Ken Gibson, deputy director, said the organization will lose its $120,000 funding from the City of Tacoma due to the government’s massive budget deficit.
The organization will feel the financial impact beginning January 1, 2025, he said.
To make matters worse, the deputy director said the food bank saw nearly 10,000 more people in need this year than last year.
He said the organization’s eight locations in Tacoma, which services around 30,000 people, will feel the pinch. However, this will impact people across Pierce County as many families drive to other cities to find food.
“We don’t blame the City of Tacoma,” he shared. “It may mean that we may have to reduce our footprint in the City of Tacoma because we just don’t have enough food to serve. We don’t have enough to go around.”