The City of Bellevue has announced a $235,000 plan to address food assistance needs after recent cuts to federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. The funding will help local families. More than 3,000 Bellevue households, including nearly 4,000 children, currently qualify for SNAP. The Bellevue School District reports that about one in four students now qualify for free or reduced lunch. Over half of SNAP-recipient households include a family member with a disability.
The city will use $150,000 from its operating contingency funds to support 11 community organizations that provide food assistance. These groups already work with the city, which will help distribute aid quickly.
Another $85,000, collected from community donations, will be used by the city’s parks and community services department to provide grocery gift cards. These cards will be given out through agencies taking part in the ongoing Essentials For All food and hygiene drive. The drive will accept donations until November 15, 2025…